Charlie Parker Sessionography Full

Charlie Parker Sessionography

(SINGLE FILE FORMAT)

(Last modified: 4:04 PM, January 9, 2003.)

Allan J. Sutherland

Charlie Parker Session 40-05-00 or 40-11-00:

Date: May or November 1940.

Place: Probably Kansas City.

Musicians: Charlie Parker alto sax, solo.

Recording: Personal acetate, recorded by Clarence Davis.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Volumes 1 & 2, Young Bird 1940 -1944, Media 7 MJCD 78/79, for the complete version; Charlie Parker, The Complete 'Birth of the Bebop,' Stash CD 535; Charlie Parker, Bird's Eyes, Last Unissued, Philology CD Vol. 1/4 W 5/18-2, both issues are incomplete.

1. Honeysuckle Rose (Incomplete.) into

2. Body and Soul (Incomplete.) (3:40)

Notes: The discovery of this disc, labelled Honey and Body by Clarence Davis, the Kansas city trumpeter who recorded Parker, pushed the earliest known existing recording of Charlie Parker back to just before 1940, with this sole example of him playing unaccompanied. The actual date of the recording has been disputed, some placing it as early as 1937 when Parker was 16 or 17, but that is highly doubtful, May or November 1940 is the generally accepted time. Most issues end prematurely, before the bridge and final eight of Body & Soul, the result of the needle sticking when the original disc was first being transferred for commercial release. On Stash this item ends at 5:03, when it fades out and on Philology at 3:04 repeating sound produced by the stuck needle appears, continuing until it fades out at 3:10. It The longer version is now available, in the Media 7 release, which actually ends a few measures before the end of the first chorus of Body & Soul. Honeysuckle Rose is also incomplete, as the recording begins in the middle of a solo chorus, just before a bridge.

A transcription and excellent analysis of this early gem can be found on Woideck, 1996. Honeysuckle Rose is performed at 194, and Body and Soul at half that rate. is apparent that Bird is playing well, providing a good sense of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic form and direction.

Charlie Parker Session 40-08-09:

Date: 09 August 1940.

Place: Trocadora Ballroom, Wichita, Kansas.

Musicians: Jay McShann Orchestra: Buddy Anderson and Orville Minor trumpet, Bob Gould trombone, Charles Parker, & John Jackson alto sax, Bob Mabane tenor sax, Jay McShann piano, Gene Ramey bass, Gus Johnson drums.

Recording: Private recordings by Pete Armstrong and Fred Higgins, university students, on paper disc, using a portable recorder.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Volumes 1 & 2, Young Bird 1940 – 1944, Media 7 MJCD 78/79, for item 2; “Early Bird: Charlie Parker with Jay McShann and his Orchestra,” Stash CD 542, item 2 only, time from there.

1. Walkin’ and Swingin’ (aka Jumpin’ at the Woodside) (Incomplete.) (?”??)

2. I Got Rhythm (3:37)

3. Jay McShann Blues, title unknown. (??:??)

Notes: The Bregman, et al., discography, list Stash CD 542 as the source for items 1 and 2, but there is only item 2. Indeed, the Stash sleeve notes there state that only this item has anything like playable quality, and that as there is no audible alto saxophone on either of the others they omitted it from the release. John Burton in his internet discography contends that item 2 is not “I Got Rhythm,” but “Walkin’ and Swingin’” by Marylou Williams, which is how it is listed on the Media 7 issue. On both the Stash and Media 7 CDs item 2 has very poor quality sound, although the Media 7 is marginally better in that respect.

(Items 1 & 3 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 40-11-30:

Date: 30 November 1940.

Place: Wichita, Kansas.

Musicians: Jay McShann Octet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Buddy Anderson and Orville Minor trumpet, Bob Gould trombone, violin on 7, William J. Scott tenor sax, Jay McShann piano, dir, Gene Ramey bass, Gus Johnson drums.

Recorded: Acetates recorded at Radio Station KFBR, by Bud Gould, a station musician.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Volumes 1 & 2, Young Bird 1940 -1944, Media 7 MJCD 78/79; Charlie Parker, “Early Bird: Charlie Parker with Jay McShann and his Orchestra,” Stash CD 542, times from there.

1. I Found a New Baby (2:59)

2. Body and Soul (2:50)

3. Moten Swing (2:47)

4. Coquette (3:08)

5. Lady Be Good (2:56)

6. Witchita Blues (3:08)

7. Honeysuckle Rose (2:57)

Notes: Transcription, in jazz, has come to have three meanings; one is the traditional one of laying out the music in written form, as in a score; the other is synonymous with the term dubbing; and the third comes from early recording techniques, whereby larger format, extended playing, recording discs were usually made for radio transmission; an extended disc was recorded and taken to the radio station where it was broadcast. The normal recording limit for discs then was under 4 minutes played at 78rpm, but these broadcast transcriptions, the full term for the extended discs, were 16 inch discs, recorded at 33¹/₃rpm, could record continuous music for up to 15 minutes.

Earlier issues identified items 3-7 as from December 2, later sources place all items on November 30.

These recordings, discovered during the 1960’s by Frank Driggs, were thought to be Bird’s first recordings in existence. They are well recorded and Bird’s solo reveals the origins of his style in the woodshedding with Lester Young’s discs; they sound like speeded up Lester Young performances, most apparent in the Lady Be good track which was one of Lester’s titles that he worked on, and have more vibrato than his later work contained . Honey Suckle Rose also provides an interesting comparison with his unaccompanied version; this is played much faster, at 280, and is melodically and rhythmically more like later bebop.

Charlie Parker Session 41-04-30:

Date: 30 April 1941.

Place: Dallas, Texas

Musicians: Jay McShann Orchestra: Orville Minor, Buddy Anderson, and Harold Bruce trumpet, Joe Taswell Baird trombone, Charlie Parker, and John Jackson alto sax, Harold Ferguson, and Bob Manbane tenor sax, Jay McShann piano, Gene Ramey bass, Gus Johnson drums, Walter Brown vocal on item 2 only.

Recording: Commercial for Decca Records.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Volumes 1 & 2, Young Bird 1940 -1944, Media 7 MJCD 78/79; Jay McShann Orchestra. Blues from Kansas City, featuring Charlie Parker and Walter Brown, Decca Jazz, MVCR-20009, times from there; Media 7 MJCD 78/79.

1. Swingmatism (2:38)

2. Hootie Blues (2:53)

3. Dexter Blues (2:53)

Notes: This is the first commercial recording session of Parker, with good solos that, with the benefit of hindsight, show his style was developing, although he does not solo on item 3, he did, however, write the arrangements for item 2.

Vine Street Boogie, Confessin’ the Blues, and Hold ‘Em Hootie, were recorded as a trio with Hootie Williams piano, Gene Ramey bass, and Gus Johnson drums, plus Walter Brown vocal on Confessin’ the Blues.

Charlie Parker Session 41-11-18:

Date: 18 November 1941.

Place: Chicago, III.

Musicians: Jay McShann and his Orchestra: Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor and Bob Merrill trumpet, Lawrence Anderson, Joe Taswell Baird trombone, Charlie Parker or John Jackson alto sax, Fred Culliver, and Bob Manbane tenor sax, Jay McShann piano, Gene Ramey bass, Gus Johnson drums, Walter Brown, vcl.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Volumes 1 & 2, Young Bird 1940 -1944, Media 7 MJCD 78/79; Jay McShann Orchestra. Blues from Kansas City, featuring Charlie Parker and Walter Brown, The Original American Decca Recordings, Decca Jazz, MVCR-20009, time from there; Affinity AFS 1006.

1. One Woman Blues (3:02)

Notes: Bregman, et al., in their discography, note “Charlie Parker may not be in the group...” They and Burton refer to the Affinity issue only, Burton states that he neither has nor heard this the GRP release as he comments so, perhaps this GRP issue has a more cleaner, detailed sound than that issue, and the instruments more easily deciphered. Loren Schönberg wrote in the liner notes to the GRP re-issue: “....The omnipresent influence of Lester Young and Louis Armstrong surface in the horn’s obligatos to the vocal before the reprise of the melody [in One Woman Blues]. It has always been assumed that the alto on this track was Parker, but jazz historian Phil Schaap reports being told by McShann on two different occasions that it definitely is not Bird. To these ears, one of the phrases is hard to imagine coming out of anyone else’s horn, although the overall tone may be a little too fruity for Parker. It seems best to leave the question pending....” I am inclined to agree, it sounds like Parker’s phrasing and self-confident command of the instrument to me; the alto sax solo begins at 1:34 and ends 2:04, when the trumpet comes in; ending chorus begins at 2:32. This is a very long solo for an instrument in a piece only 3:02, it was reported that Parker had a prominent spot in the McShann band.

Charlie Parker Session 42-00-00:

Date: Early 1942.

Place: Clark Monroe’s Uptown House, New York City, NY., NY.

Musicians: Clark Monroe’s Uptown House Band, Charlie Parker alto sax, with 8 or 9 musicians, possibly Allan Tinney piano, Ebeneazor Paul bass, the rest unknown.

Recording: Private recording on paper disc by Jerry Newman.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Volumes 1 & 2, Young Bird 1940 -1944, Media 7 MJCD 78/79, item 1 only; Charlie Parker with Jay McShann and his Orchestra, Early Bird, Stash CD 542, item 1 only, time from there; Spotlite SPJ 120; LP Onyx 22.

1. Cherokee (Incomplete) (2:49)

2. I Remember You (?:??)

Notes: There is a skip 19 - 20 seconds into the piece, at the end of the first eight of the theme; some find this irritating, but I can fill with my imagination, so it does not bother me so much. This provides further evidence of the trail leading to Parker’s solo the eventually created Koko, out of the chord and form structures of this piece, first recorded November 26, 1946 for Savoy. Unfortunately the piece fades out during his second solo.

According to Kloster & Bakker, I Remember You was recorded without a Bird solo, that item is not in my collection, so I cannot comment, I have included it here simply because Parker is implied to have been on the recording, this needs further research.

Charlie Parker Session 42-02-13:

Date: 13 February 1942.

Place: Savoy Ballroom, New York City, NY., NY.

Musicians: Jay McShann Orchestra: Orville Minor, Buddy Anderson, and Bob Merrill trumpet, Lawrence Anderson and Joe Taswell Baird trombone, Charlie Parker, John Jackson alto sax, Fred Culliver and Bob Manbane tenor sax, James Coe baritone sax, Jay McShann piano, Leonard Enois guitar, Gene Ramey bass, Harold West drums, Al Hibler vocal on 2 only, Bill Abernathy announcements.

Recording: Private acetate of radio broadcast by the NBC Blue Network.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Volumes 1 & 2, Young Bird 1940 -1944, Media 7 MJCD 78/79, for 1, 3, 4 & ; Charlie Parker with Jay McShann and his Orchestra, Early Bird, Stash CD 542, times from there.

Announcement (0:24) into

1. St Louis Mood (3:46) into

Announcement into

2. I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) (3:59) into

Announcement (0:07) into;

3. I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles (3:56)

Announcement (0:10) into

4. Hootie Blues (Incomplete.) (4:19)

Announcement (0:12) into

5. Swingmatism (3:50) into:

6. Love Don’t Get You Nothing But the Blues (0:29)

Notes: St. Louis Mood on the Stash issue has a fade out at 4:07, becoming a gap at 4:08, abruptly recommencing at 4:10, finishing at 4:14, (of course this timing includes the announcements. Further, this piece is an AABA tune but the Stash CD 542 notes incorrectly state that it is a blues. On item 1 Parker’s first solo begins at 2:22 and ends at 3:06, the second at 3:16 and 3:42. Parker’s solo on Hootie Blues begins at 1:26 contains a 1 second skip at 1:54, and another at 2:14, inserted to maintain the tempo, finishing at 2:23. There is no solo by Charlie on items 2 and 6, the second being the closing theme. Overall, Parker’s playing is very strong, revealing his development as a player towards his mature bebop style.

Charlie Parker Session 42-07-02:

Date: 02 July 1942

Place: New York City, NY., NY.

Musicians: Jay McShann Orchestra: Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor and Bob Merrill trumpet, Lawrence Anderson and Joe Taswell Baird trombone, Charlie Parker, John Jackson alto sax, Fred Culliver and Bob Manbane tenor sax, James Coe baritone sax, Jay McShann piano, Leonard Enois guitar, Gene Ramey bass, Harold West drums, Walter Brown vocal on 1 & 3, Al Hibbler vocal on 2.

Recording: Commercial for Decca

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: All items issued on The Original American Decca Recordings, Blues From Kansas City. Jay McShann Orchestra, featuring Charlie Parker and Walter Brown. GRP CD MVCR-20009, times from there; Media 7 MJCD 78/79 for items 1, 2, & 4 only.

1. Lonely Boy Blues (2:53)

2. Get Me On Your Mind (3:01)

3. The Jumpin’ Blues (2:59)

4. Sepian Bounce (3:06)

Notes: On item 1, the first sax solo begins at 0:14, finishing at 1:05, is Jackson, very different in attack, timbre of playing from Parker’s playing which can be heard behind when the vocal, beginning at 1:43 finishing at 2:17; on 3 Parker’s solo begins at 1:02, with what clearly sounds like the beginning of Ornithology, finishing at 1:19; on 4 his solo begins at 1:47 continuing to 2:00 again at 2:09 to 2:18. There is no solo by Parker on item 2.

This is the second recording session that Parker made, and last with McShann’s band, as noted in Parker’s Diary (Vail 1996 p. 6) when McShann’s band went on tour in the late summer, Parker remained in New York.

Charlie Parker Session 42-09-00 or 41-00-00:

Date: September 1942, but possibly from 1941.

Place: Vic Damon Studios, Kansas City, Kansas

Musicians: Charlie Parker alto sax, Efferge Ware guitar, Little Phil Phillips drums.

Recording: Personal recordings on acetates.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete “Birth of the Bebop,” Stash CD 535; Media 7 MJCD 78/79.

1. Cherokee (3:09)

2. My Heart Tells Me (Should I Believe My Heart) (3:17)

3. I Found a New Baby (3:39)

4. Body and Soul (3:40)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 43-02-15:

Date: 15 February 1943

Place: Room 305, Savoy Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker tenor sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Oscar Pettiford bass.

Recording: Acetate made by Bob Redcross

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 1; Bird Box Vol. 1; Charlie Parker, The Complete “Birth of the Bebop,” Stash CD 535; Charlie Parker Young Bird 1940 – 1944, Volumes 1 & 2, Media 7 MJCD 78/79.

1. Sweet Georgia Brown (7:40)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 43-02-15?:

Date: 15? February 1943

Place: Possibly also Room 305, Savoy Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians:: Charlie Parker tenor sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Oscar Pettiford bass.

Recording: Acetate made by Bob Redcross

Alternate Issues:

1. Indiana (Incomplete.) (1:31)

2. Lady Be Good (Incomplete.) (1:17)

Notes: Privately issued Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 26, Philology CD W 857, list the following items as additional to this session: I Found a New Baby; I’ve Got Rhythm; I Can't Give You Anything But Love; and, Lady Be Good, with a timing of (8:07). These are fragments, with the needle skipping and repeating during the transfer to tape and then to CD-R.. Paolo Piangiarelli, through private communication, has said that these items were rejected by Stash when they originally issued materials from the Redcross acetates, which is revealing in itself; if this is true, then it implies that this is additional material, or, at the very least, part duplicate copies of the Stash material. It should not be impossible to do some work on this with today’s computer soft to eradicate some of the skips and blips, though not actually to completely reconstitute it. After this is done, I will write more comment here. For Peter Losin’s interesting comments on this material: http://63.173.65.231/database/ParkerSessions.asp?s=470000b

Charlie Parker Session 43-00-27:

Date: 27 February 1943

Place: Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker tenor sax, the rest are uncertain, probably including Billy Eckstine, Shorty McConnell and Benny Harris trumpet, Oscar Pettiford bass, Hurley Ramey guitar, Bob Redcross brushes on 9.

Recording: Acetates made by Bob Redcross.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. I Found a New Baby (Incomplete.) (?:??) (Unissued.)

2. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Incomplete.) (?:??) (Unissued.).

Notes: There is some doubt whether Parker is actually playing on I Found a New Baby and I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.

There is some information of possible additions to the Redcross collection: February 1943 : Fragments Bob Redcross recordings, said to be issued as: I Found a New Baby, I Got Rhythm, I Can't Give You Anything But Love Lady Be Good (8,07). Of course, the additional titles sound familiar and could be the same as already issued pieces, but then again, they may not be. I hope to receive copies of these soon, and

(All items not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 43-02-28:

Date: 28 February 1943

Place: Savoy Hotel, Room 305, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians:: Charlie Parker tenor sax, Billy Eckstine, but possible Dizzy Gillespie trumpet on 1 2, & 3 omit all trumpets on 4, Hurley Ramey guitar.

Recording: Acetate made by Bob Redcross

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 1 for items 1 & 2; Bird Box Vol. 1 for items 1 & 2; Charlie Parker, The Complete “Birth of the Bebop,” Stash CD 535 for all items; Charlie Parker Young Bird 1940 – 1944, Volumes 1 & 2, Media 7 MJCD 78/79, for all items.

1. Three Guesses (4:12)

2. Boogie Woogie (3:36)

Conversation with Parker into

3. Yardin’ with Yard (aka Shoe Shine Swing) (Incomplete.) (4:12)

4. Body and Soul (Incomplete.) (1:52)

Notes: Stash dates item 1, as part of the 15th February session the others locate it here.

Some issues give Billy Eckstine as trumpet on 1 and 3 and Shorty McConnell on 2. Item 4 is tenor sax and guitar duo.

There is some doubt whether Parker is actually playing on I Got Rhythm. Also, Norman Saks claims that the tenor player on, Boogie Woogie is not Charlie Parker, but Goon Gardner.

Until the early 1980s, of the Bob Redcross set of recordings, Yardin’ with Yard (aka Shoe Shine Swing) and Body and Soul were the only ones known to exist. Norman Saks was the one who traced Bob Redcross, thereby the other recordings. Now more have apparently come to light, though I have yet to hear these. In many of these recordings it is possible to trace the early origins of features of Parker’s style and, as John Burton comments; ‘Shoe Shine Swing is remarkable for Bird’s close rendition of Lester Young’s classic solo from the 1936 Jones-Smith session.” (Lester Young’s version can be heard on Count Basie Volume 3, Media 7, MJCD 13, where there is the master and an alternate take.)

With item 2, we have the first recording of Parker’s voice can be heard when he states: “What tune are we going to play?”.

According to the Bregman, et al., discography item 2 is also known as Cotton Tail, and by Stash it is a variation on “I got Rhythm” George Gershwin.

Charlie Parker Session 43-00-00:

Date: ?? ?? 1943

Place: Savoy Hotel, Room 305, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians:: Charlie Parker tenor sax, Hazel Soctt piano.

Recording: Private recording on acetate.

Alternate Issues:

1. Embraceable You (Hazel Scott record) (2:39)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 43-00-00:

Date: ?? ?? 1943

Place: Savoy Hotel, Room 305, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians:: Charlie Parker with the Bennie Goodman Trio / Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Bennie Goodman clarinet, Teddy Wilson piano, Lionel Hampton vibraphone omit 1, Gene Krupa drums. trumpet, Oscar Pettiford bass.

Recording: Private recording on acetate.

Alternate Issues:

1. China Boy (Benny Goodman Record) (2:31)

2. Avalon (Benny Goodman Record) (2:40)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 44-09-15:

Date: 15 September 1944

Place: WOR Studios, New York City, NY., NY.

Musicians: Tiny Grimes Quintet: Charlie Parker as, vocal on 11, Clyde Hart piano, Tiny Grimes guitar, vocal on 5 - 11, Jimmy Butts bass, vocal on 7 - 11, Doc West drums.

Recording: Commercial for Savoy Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia Savoy COCY-75791 - 8, Disc 1, times from there; Savoy Jazz Records CD ZDS 5500-1.

1. Tiny’s Tempo (Take 1) (3:01)

2. Tiny’s Tempo (Take 2) (2:58)

3. Tiny’s Tempo (Take 3) (Master Take) (2:52)

4. I’ll Always Love You Just the Same (Take 1 (False start) (0:04)

5. I’ll Always Love You Just the Same (Take 2) (2:56)

6. I’ll Always Love You Just the Same (Take 3) (Master Take) (2:59)

7. Romance Without Finance (Take 1) (3:04)

8. Romance Without Finance(Take 2) (Incomplete.) (1:00)

9. Romance Without Finance(Take 3) (3:01)

10. Romance Without Finance (Take 4) (Incomplete.) (0:43)

11. Romance Without Finance (Take 5) (Master Take.) (3:00)

12. Red Cross (Take 1) (3:15)

13. Red Cross (Take 2) (Master Take.) (3:06)

Notes: This is the point at which Parker’s recording career begins in earnest, the first official studio recording of a small group session. Some of the tunes here are not so very special in themselves, but Parker achieves the alchemist’s long standing dream of making gold out of lead in his solos, and generate controversy in the process. Of particular importance here, though, is Red Cross, where the note selection in Parker solo resulted in intense debate concerning its ‘correctness,’ whether it was suitable and possible to use, some say the debate that was so heated that at times came to violence. (c.f., Green 1991, pp. 165 - 6, for example.)

With this Nippon Columbia issue of the Savoy material item 10 ends with Tiny Grimes voice shouting “Wait a minute, wait!” and the musicians stopping.

(Item 4, not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 45-00-00:

Date: January 1945, this is the most likely date.

Place: New York City, NY., NY.

Musicians: Clyde Bernhardt and His Kansas City Buddies: Clyde Bernhardt trombone and vocal, Charlie Parker alto sax, Jay McShann piano, Gene Ramey bass, Gus Johnson drums.

Recording: Glass based acetate test pressings

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 19, Philology CD W 849.2.

1. Would You Do Me a Favor? (3:07)

2. Triflin’ Woman Blues (3:22)

3. Lay Your Habits Down (2:25)

4. So Good This Morning (2:12)

Notes: Philology need to be congratulated for re-assembling the recently discovered recordings made on acetates which were in pieces. They very carefully glued the pieces together, while it has to be admitted they are not perfect recreations, they are great items. Excellent solos and accompaniments can be heard on all of the above takes, they are a must for any serious collection and appreciation.

Charlie Parker Session 45-01-04:

Date: 04 January 1945

Place: New York City, NY., NY.

Musicians: Clyde Hart’s All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Don Byas tenor sax, Trummy Young trombone and vocal on Items 6-9, Clyde Hart piano, Mike Byran guitar, Al Hall bass, Specs Powell drums, Rubberlegs Williams vocals on items 1-5.

Recording: Commercial for Continental

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 19, Philology CD W 849.2; Black Label CD BLCD 8016 (except Item 4); LP Spotlite SPJ150D.

1. What’s the Matter Now? (2:45)

2. I Want Every Bit of It (3:04)

3. That’s the Blues (2:50)

4. G. I. Blues (2:31)

5. 4-F Blues (2:15)

6. Dream of You (2:49)

7. Seventh Avenue (2:49)

8. Sorta Kinda (2:59)

9. Oh, Oh, My, My, Oh, Oh (2:44) (no solo)

Notes: This is the first recording of Charlie Parker with Dizzy Gillespie, with excellent solos on many of the pieces. The session is also notable as the famed one where Rubberlegs Williams mistakenly drank Parker’s coffee, which was laced with Benzedrine - the effects are very apparent in his vocal - on Parker they would have been considerably less so. The impact of drugs on Parker were more long-term, leading to his incarceration and very premature death.

Charlie Parker Session 45-02-12:

Date: 12 February 1945

Place: Savoy Ballroom, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Cootie Williams Sextet: Cootie Williams Charlie Parker alto sax, Arnold Jarvis piano, Leroy Kirkland guitar, Carl Pruitt bass, Sylvester Paine drums.

Recording: Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes,. Last Unissued, Vol. 8, Philology CD W 852.2; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 8, Philology CD W 80.2, for item 9; LP-Cootie Williams “Echoes of Harlem” Big Band Archives LP 1208; Spotlite SPJ150D.

1. ‘Round Midnight, into Seven Eleven (3:30)

2. Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me (4:16)

3. Don’t Blame Me (4:02)

5. Perdido (4:03)

6. Night Cap (4:57)

7. Floogie Boo (3:50) into

Announcement

8. St. Louis Blues (1:52)

9. You Talk a Little Trash. (3:07)

Notes: On CD Philology Vol. 22 (W 852.2), where there are another 7 tunes listed, none of which include Roll ‘em or Air Mail Special, but perhaps Bird is not playing on these.

Charlie Parker Session 45-02-28:

Date: 28 February 1945

Place: New York City, NY..

Musicians: Dizzy Gillespie Sextet: Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Clyde Hart piano, Remo Palmieri guitar, Slam Stewart bass, Cozy Cole drums.

Recording: Commercial for Guild Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Dizzy Gillespie and his Sextets and Orchestra, Shaw ‘Nuff, Musicraft CD MVSCD-1046-70053-2; Blue Moon BMCD 1007 Vol.1; Denon - Savoy CD SV-0152.

1. Dizzy Atmosphere (2:45)

2. Groovin’ High (2:40)

3. All the Things You Are (2:52)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 45-05-11

Date: 11 May 1945

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Dizzy Gillespie and his All Stars: Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, vocal item 2, Charlie Parker alto sax, Al Haig piano, Curley Russell bass, Sid Catlett drums, Sarah Vaughan vocal item 4.

Recording: Commercial for Guild

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Dizzy Gillespie and his Sextets and Orchestra, Shaw ‘Nuff, Musicraft CD MVSCD-1046-70053-2; Blue Moon BMCD 1007 Vol.1; Denon - Savoy CD SV 0152, for items 1 & 2; LP Prestige PR24030; Musicraft CD MVSCD-53; Lazerlight CD 15 731, for items 1, 3, & 4.

1. Hot House (2:27)

2. Salt Peanuts (2:20)

3. Shaw ‘Nuff (2:57)

4. Lover Man (3:22)

Notes: The Lazerlight issue has very poor sound quality, the Moon issues of Parker’s work is clean and bright, that is all that can be said of them without criticising there excessive sharp tone, and lack of detail.

Charlie Parker Session 45-05-25:

Date: 25 May 1945

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Sarah Vaughan Octet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Flip Phillips tenor sax, Sarah Vaughan vocal, Nat Jaffe and Tadd Dameron piano, Bill DeArango guitar, Curley Russell bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Continental

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 19, Philology CD W 849.2; Black Label BL CD 8016; LP Spotlite SPJ150D

1. I’d Rather Have a Memory Than a Dream (2:38)

2. What More Can a Woman Do? (3:02)

3. Mean To Me (2:38)

Notes

Charlie Parker Session 45-05-30:

Date: 30 May 1945?

Place: Lincoln Square Concert, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Sextet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, poss. Don Byas tenor sax, Red Callendar bass, Doc West drums.

Recording: Privately recorded off the air by Bob Redcross

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Stash CD 535; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 1; Bird Box Vol. 1.

1. Sweet Georgia Brown (Incomplete.) (3:58)

Notes: This was originally thought to have been recorded in LA during February 1946, but now is believed to belong here. On the Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, CD SSCD-8017-34, this it is listed as recorded in February 1946, along with an additional tune; Lover, Come Back To Me. However, it is generally agreed that this is the correct date for the session.

Charlie Parker Session 45-06-05:

Date: 05 June 1945.

Place: Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Musicians: Dizzy Gillespie Quintet; Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Al Haig piano, Curley Russell bass, Stan Levey drums.

Recording: Acetate recording of concert excerpt

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 17 Philology CD W 847.2, time from there.

1. Blue ‘n’ Boogie (Incomplete.) (2:57)

Notes: Information for personnel listing from this Philology release and Bird’s Diary, Ken Vail, 1996.

Charlie Parker Session 45-06-06:

Date: 06 June 1945

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Red Norvo Sextet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Teddy Wilson piano, Slam Stewart bass, Specs Powell 1 - 7 or J.C. Heard (h-l) drums.

Recording: Commercial for Comet Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 15, Philology CD W 845.2; LP Spotlite SPJ 127.

1. Hallelujah (Take I) (4:10)

2. Hallelujah (Take II) (4:12)

3. Hallelujah (Take III) (Master take.)(4:00)

4. Get Happy (Take I) (4:03)

5. Get Happy (Take II) (Master take.) (3:47)

6. Slam, Slam Blues (Take I) (5:05)

7. Slam, Slam Blues (Take II) (Master take.) (4:29)

8. Congo Blues (Take I) (Incomplete.) (1:07)

9. Congo Blues (Take II) (Incomplete.) (1:17)

10. Congo Blues (Take III) (4:02)

11. Congo Blues (Take IV) (3:53)

12. Congo Blues (Take V) (Master take.) (3:50)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 45-09-04:

Date: 04 September 1945.

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Sir Charles Thompson and His All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dexter Gordon tenor sax, Buck Clayton trumpet, Sir Charles Thompson piano, Danny Barker guitar, Jimmy Butts bass, J.C. Heard drums.

Recording: Commercial for Apollo Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Sir Charles Thompson “Takin’ Off” Apollo Series, Delmark CD DD 450.

1. Takin’ Off (3:05)

2. If I Had You (2:58) (No Solo)

3. Twentieth Century Blues (2:54)

4. The Street Beat (2:33)

Notes: These are the only recordings of Charlie Parker and Dexter Gordon together that are known to exist, although they did play together on other occasions. All items, except If I had You, were composed by Sir Charles Thompson, who selected the musicians for the session. This issue has a fine picture of the band at the session, with Charlie Parker sitting at the right hand side.

Charlie Parker Session 45-11-26:

Date: 26 November 1945

Place: WOR Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker’s Reboppers: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, and piano, Argonne Thornton piano, Curley Russell bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Savoy Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, for items 1 - 10a, on Vol. 1, 11 - 16, on Vol. 2; Savoy Jazz CD Box Vol. 1 ZDS 5500-1.

1. Billie’s Bounce (Take I) (2:40)

2. Billie’s Bounce (Take II) (Incomplete) (1:41)

3. Billie’s Bounce (Take III) (3:03)

4. Warming Up a Riff (Cherokee) (Incomplete.) (2:32)

4a. Warming Up a Riff (Original Master) (2:32)

5. Billie’s Bounce (Take IV) (Incomplete) (1:37)

6. Billie’s Bounce (Take V) (Master take) (3:09)

7. Now’s the Time (Take I) (False start) (0:20)

8. Now’s the Time (Take II) (False start) (0:37)

9. Now’s the Time (Take III) (3:06)

10. Now’s the Time (Take IV) (Master take) (3:15)

10a. Now’s the Time (Take V) (3:14)

11. Thriving from a Riff (Anthropology) (Take I) (2:59)

12. Thriving from a Riff (Anthropology) (Take II) (Incomplete) (0:23)

13. Thriving from a Riff (Anthropology) (Take III) (Master take) (2:55)

14. Meandering (Embraceable You) (Incomplete.) (3:15)

15a. KoKo (Original Master) (2:53)

15. KoKo (Cherokee) (Take I) (False start) (0:38)

16. KoKo (Take II) (Master take) (2:54)

Notes: This is Charlie Parker’s first recording session as leader. There is some uncertainty regarding the piano player on individual tracks, indeed the session that has created a discographical conundrum till unresolved. The pianist first chosen was Bud Powell, but he left the city, and was replaced by Dizzy Gillespie for some tracks and Argonne Thorton for others. Moreover, Parker selected Miles Davis as the trumpet player, rather than the more skilled Gillespie, but as Miles was not up to playing the complex lines in some pieces, notably the trumpet introduction to Koko, Gillespie was called on the do that, as well as provide the piano comping! As if that was not sufficient, Parker was having reed problems and flooded his sax with a pitcher of water to try to swell the pads to improve the sound. In the end it is one of the most amazing sessions that Parker recorded in his career. The Complete Savoy sessions provides a fairly accurate chronological, the sole exception is with items 4 and 5; these are placed prior to Billie’s Bounce; why? Probably, a decision based on continuity.

There are mysterious additional takes; e.g., Vol. 1. 5a, 10a, and on Vol. 2. 14a; duplicates or different?

Charlie Parker Session 45-12-29:

Date: 29 December 1945

Place: Hollywood

Musicians: Slim Gaillard and his Orchestra: Charlie Parker alto sax, vocal on 6, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Jack McVea tenor sax, Dodo Marmarosa piano, Slam Brown bass, Zutty Singleton drums.

Recording: Commercial for Belltone

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 2, for items 2, 4, 5, & 6, times for these items from there; Blue Moon CD BMCD 1008 Vol. 2 for items 2, 4, 5, & 6; CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 1177.

1. Dizzy Boogie (Take I) (3:15)

2. Dizzy Boogie (Take II) (Master take) (3:08)

3. Flat Foot Floogie (Take I) (2:45)

4. Flat Foot Floogie (Take II) (Master take) (2:30)

5. Popity Pop (Take I) (?:??) (Unissued.).

6. Popity Pop (Take II) (2:55)

7. Slim’s Jam (Take I) (Incomplete.) (3:15)

Notes: Item 5 is given a catalogue number of BTJ40.2, with the other items where there re two takes, the last digit specifies the take number, thus what happened to the first take of this item? The alternate takes of Dizzy Boogie and Flat Foot Floogie are said to be low fidelity, is the first take of Poppity Pop, similarly, more flawed?

Item 7 ends with a fade out; where is the rest of this?

These recordings are sheer joy to listen to, right down to the mimicked jam, where there is jive among the musicians, involving Parker thus:

Slim: “Well, look at Charlie Yardbird-a-Rooney.” CP: “Hey there Slim, how’s it going, Jim?” Slim: “Oh, everything is mellow man. Look at this cat together with his horn with him. Can you blow some?” CP: “Yes, I got my horn with me, I want to blow some but I’m havin’ a little reed trouble.” Slim: “What you haven’t got a reed.” CP: “Yeh.” Slim: “Well McVoucher has got a reed he can trim it down a little. Is that great?” “CP: “Yeh.” Slim: “Well that’s solid, let’s get together and blow.”

Charlie Parker Session 45-12-29:

Date: 29 December 1945

Place: NBC studio, Hollywood, CA.

Musicians: Dizzy Gillespie and his Rebop Six: Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Al Haig piano, Milt Jackson vibes on items 3 & 4, Ray Brown bass, Stan Levey drums.

Recording: Recording for American Forces Radio Services (AFRS) programme, Jubilee 162, 163, & 165.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete “Birth of Bebop,” Stash CD 535, for items 1 - 3, inclusive of announcements; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 8, Philology CD W 80.2, for item 4.

Announcement by Ernie “Bubbles” Whitman and Dizzy Gillespie into, (0:25)

1. Shaw Nuff (4:11) + applause (0:15)

Announcement into, (0:16)

2. Groovin’ High (5:34) + applause (0:06)

Announcement by Whitman and Gillespie into (0:18)

3. Dizzy Atmosphere (4:15) + applause (0:08)

4. A Night in Tunisia (5:38)

Notes: Some sources indicate Night in Tunisia was also recorded at this date, the one above was issued by Philology, W 80.2. This is where some curiosities arise. Burton on the internet discography sates that, in an article in Cadence, Dr. Robert Bregman explained this item to be fraudulent, unfortunately he gave no reference for the article, nor could it be traced by myself or a number of other people; this may be unsurprising as Cadence only has interviews, and record and book reviews. The mystery deepens because there are reviews in Cadence for all of the Philology releases but this one! Personal communication with Leonard Bukowski, co-author of the Bregman et al., (1993), published Parker discography. shed no light on the matter, neither on the piece itself or the Bregman article.

If this item is not fraudulent then it is the first recording of Parker of Night in Tunisia. On closer listening the piece sounds right for this session, if it is fraudulent then either someone has taken particularly great care to create it, or, stretching coincidence to extremes, there is another recording with the precise personnel listing and sound, right down to the reed problems that produced the squeaks in Parker’s alto at specific tones, in existence; compare especially the chorus introduction to Groovin’ High with Night for these. However, unlike the other recordings this one of Night is marred by a couple of skips; these are found at 2:28, and 3:26. Whenever this was recorded there can be no doubt that this is Gillespie, Parker, or Milt Jackson, and it does sound like Al Haig as he is playing in the other pieces.

Regardless of the accuracy of placing this Night in Tunisia here, the playing on all items is particularly strong, especially for Gillespie, Parker, and Al Haig. These are longer versions of what Benedetti was recording snippets a little over a year later, when he concentrated on Parker’s solos, to our joy and chagrin, in equal measures.

Charlie Parker Session 46-01-24:

Date: 24 January 1946

Place: Billy Berg’s, Hollywood

Musicians: Dizzy Gillespie and his Rebop Six: Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Lucky Thompson tenor sax, Milt Jackson vibes, Al Haig piano, Ray Brown bass, Stan Levey drums.

Recording: Radio Broadcast on WEAF

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 14, Philology CD W 844.2.

1. Salt Peanuts (2:04)

Notes: In his internet discography Burton wrote: “There must be more broadcasts from Berg’s still extant in the KFWB archives! There is also rumoured to be a sound film from Berg’s. Before you laugh, I have seen one of the Slim Gaillard group which played opposite the Gillespie sextet.” Could the above Salt Peanuts have come from this source?

Charlie Parker Session 46-01-28:

Date: 28 January 1946

Place: Philharmonic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Musicians: Jazz at the Philharmonic: Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Al Killian trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Willie Smith alto sax, Lester Young tenor sax, Mel Powell piano, Billy Hadnott bass, Lee Young drums.

Recording: Concert recorded for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 1, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. Sweet Georgia Brown (9:32)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 46-02-03:

Date: 03 February 1946

Place: Southern California.

Musicians: Jam Session: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Unknown piano, Red Callender bass, Harold ‘Doc’ West drums.

Recording: Private recording by Bob Redcross

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete “Birth of Bebop,” Stash CD 535; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 1; Bird Box Vol. 1.

1. Lover Come Back to Me (Incomplete.) (3:31)

Notes: The personnel listed here are as remembered by Gillespie, according to the Stash issue, and also to Vail 1991, but it is possible that Vail listed the personnel from the Stash issue, but Stash state these were recorded in the hotel room of Bob Redcross, and Vail gives the date of February 04, for the recording, placing the performance in Berg’s Club, Hollywood, CA.

Charlie Parker Session 46-02-05:

Date: 05 February 1946

Place: Electro Broadcasting Studios, Glendale, California

Musicians: Dizzy Gillespie Jazzmen: Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Lucky Thompson tenor sax, George Handy piano, Arvin Garrison guitar, Ray Brown b and Stan Levey drums.

Recording: Commercial for Dial Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. 1.’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6201; Charlie Parker: The Complete Dial Sessions, Stash ST-CD-567 - 570. Vol. 1.

1. Diggin’ Diz (2:52)

Notes: This is the first of the Dial recordings, the closest thing to a complete failure and, not being a Parker session, he almost failed to show up completely; indeed Lester Young and Milt Jackson did fail to appear. When Charlie eventually appeared, they recorded this one track, which is superb. This was the band that had been playing in Bob Berg’s club to unappreciative west coast audiences.

Charlie Parker Session 46-02-00 or 46-03-00:

Date: February or March 1946

Place: Finale Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Joe Albany piano, Addison Farmer bass, Chuck Thompson drums.

Recording: Acetates recorded from Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird’s Eyes, the Last Unissued, CD Philology Vol. 18 CD Philology 848.2, times from there.

1. Billie’s Bounce (3:41)

2. Ornithology (Incomplete.) (5:01)

3. All the Things You Are (5:07)

4. Blue ‘n’ Boogie (5:08)

5. Anthropology (2:46)

Applause and fragment of Announcement.

Notes: Parker was resident in the Finale Club during March and April, and also appeared at Sunday afternoon sessions in Billy Berg’s club. Did he appear at any after-hours jam sessions in this period?

Charlie Parker Session 46-03-25:

Date: 25 March 1946.

Place: Philharmonic Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA.

Musicians: Jazz at the Philharmonic: Howard McGhee and Al Killian trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Willie Smith alto sax, Lester Young tenor sax, Arnold Ross piano, Billy Hadnott bass, Lee Young drums.

Recording: Concert recorded for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 1, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. After You’ve Gone (7:33)

2. Lady Be Good (11:05)

3. Blues for Norman (8:37)

4. I Can’t Get Started (9:15)

Notes: This was the first of many Jazz at the Philharmonic shows that Parker performed in. Burton in his August 29, 1995 internet discography suggested that this may have been the second set of January 28, but that it does not sound like it to him.

Charlie Parker Session 46-03-28:

Date: 28 March 1946

Place: Radio Recorders Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Septet feat Miles Davis trumpet, Lucky Thompson tenor sax, Arvin Garrison guitar, Dodo Marmarosa piano, Vic McMillan bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Commercial for Dial Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. 1.’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6201; Charlie Parker: The Complete Dial Sessions. Stash ST-CD-567 - 570. Items 1 - 11, on Vol. 1.

1. Moose the Mooche (Take I) (2:57)

2. Moose the Mooche (Take II) (Master Take.) (3:02)

3. Moose the Mooche (Take III) (2:55)

4. Yardbird Suite (Take I) (2:39)

5. Yardbird Suite (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:54)

6. Ornithology (Take I) (3:01)

7. Ornithology (aka Bird Lore) (Take III) (3:16)

8. Ornithology (Take IV) (Master Take.) (2:59)

9. A Night in Tunisia (aka The Famous Alto Break) (Take I) (0:47)

10. Night in Tunisia (Take IV) (3:05)

11. Night in Tunisia (Take V) (3:02)

Notes: This is the session that produced what became know as the famous alto break, item 9 above. This is only Parker’s second studio session as leader.

Charlie Parker Session 46-03-00 or 46-04-00:

Date: March or April 1946

Place: Los Angeles, California

Musicians: Charlie Parker with the Nat King Cole Trio: Charlie Parker 3 only; solo, Benny Carter solo 2, chorus on 3, only, & Willie Smith solo on 1, chorus on 3, alto sax, Nat King Cole Trio piano, Oscar Moore guitar, and Johnny Miller bass, Buddy Rich drums.

Recording: AFRS Jubilee

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird’s Eyes, the Last Unissued, CD Philology Vol. 18 CD Philology 848.2.

Ernie “Bubbles” Whitman, introduces (1:20) into:

1. Tea for Two (2:48) into:

2. Body and Soul (2:34) into:

3. Cherokee (2:45) into

Announcement (0:16)

Notes: This begins with a rather long-winded introduction during which ‘Bubbles” Williams introduces Benny Carter, who introduces Bird, who introduces Willie Smith, during which Williams says that he now knows what is going on, and Parker wryly replies “You do, Ernie?” It actually has the format of a medley with Charlie Parker at the end picking up the pace and taking off when he takes the piece into Cherokee.

Charlie Parker Session 46-04-33:

Date: 22 April 1946

Place: Embassy Auditorium, Los Angeles

Musicians: Jazz at the Philharmonic: Buck Clayton trumpet, Charlie Parker and Willie Smith alto sax, Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young tenor sax, Ken Kersey piano, Irving Ashby guitar, Billy Hadnott bass, Buddy Rich drums.

Recording: Concert recorded live for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 1, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. I Got Rhythm (12:54)

Introductions by Norman Granz (2:16)

2. JATP Blues (10:56)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 46-07-29:

Date: 29 July 1946

Place: C.P MacGregor’s Studio, Hollywood

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Howard McGhee trumpet, Jimmy Bunn piano, Bob Kesterton bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Commercial for Dial

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. 1.’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6201; Charlie Parker, The Complete Dial Sessions. Stash ST-CD-567 - 570. Vol. 1.

1. Max Making Wax (2:30)

2. Lover Man (3:20)

3. The Gypsy (3:02)

4. Be-Bop (2:53)

Notes: This is the first small group recording of Parker with Howard McGhee, a very excellent but under-appreciated Bebop trumpeter, item 4 was initially released as by the Howard McGhee Quintet. This is also the famous session where Charlie Parker collapsed due to physical exhaustion and was, after an incident at his hotel, taken to hospital. Charlie Parker never forgave Ross Russell for releasing these recordings of Lover Man, which ironically became a major hit at the time.

[Charlie Parker was committed to Camarillo, after setting fire to his hotel mattress at the end of July, 1946 until the end of January 1947]

Charlie Parker Session 47-02-01:

Date: 01 February 1947

Place: Chuck Kopely’s Apartment, Hollywood

Musicians: Jam Session: Charlie Parker alto sax, Malvin Broiles, Howard McGhee, Shorty Rogers trumpet on 4, & 5, Russ Freeman piano, Arnold Fishkin bass, Jimmy Pratt drums.

Recording: Privately recorded on acetate by Ross Russell.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: The Complete Dial Sessions, Stash ST-CD-567 - 570, Vol. 1; Stash CD 25; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 8 Philology CD, W 80.2, for items 1 and 2 only, with a time of 1:49?

1. Blues (Part I) (aka Blues on the Sofa) (0:49)

2. Blues (Part II) (aka Kopley Plaza Blues) (1:10)

3. Yardbird Suite (2:14)

4. Lullaby in Rhythm, (Part I) (1:33)

5. Lullaby in Rhythm, (Part II) (2:10)

6. Home Cookin’ (Part I) (aka Opus) (S’Wonderful with Honeysuckle Bridge) (2:24)

7. Home Cookin’ (Part II) (Cherokee) (2:10)

8. Home Cookin’ (Part III) (I Got Rhythm) (2:30)

Notes: This is the first recording of Parker after his release from Camarillo, and it is strong in imagination. Ross Russell made these recordings at a party held to welcome Parker after his release from Camarillo. The sound quality of items 1 - 3 is not as good as the studio recordings. Items 1 and 2 are combined as a single item (1:49) on the Philology release.

This is the one Dial session is not on the Toshiba/EMI issue, mores the pity.

Charlie Parker Session 47-02-19:

Date: 19 February 1947.

Place: C.P. MacGregor Studios, Hollywood, California

Musicians: Charlie Parker and the Erroll Garner Trio: Charlie Parker alto sax, Erroll Garner piano, Red Callendar bass, Doc West d Earl Coleman vocal 1 - 6.

Recording: Commercial for Dial Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. 1.’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6201, for items 1 - 6; Charlie Parker, ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. 2.’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6202, for items 7 - 13; Charlie Parker: The Complete Dial Sessions. Stash ST-CD-567 - 570, Vol. 2.

1. This Is Always (Take I) (Master Take) (3:13)

2. This Is Always (Take II) (3:09)

3. Dark Shadows (Take I) (4:02)

4. Dark Shadows (Take II) (3:10)

5. Dark Shadows (Take III) (Master Take) (3:05)

6. Dark Shadows (Take IV) (2:58)

7. Bird’s Nest (Take I) (2:51)

8. Bird’s Nest (Take II) (2:49)

9. Bird’s Nest (Take III) (Master Take) (2:42)

10. Cool Blues (Take I) (aka Hot Blues) (1:58)

11. Cool Blues (Take II) (aka Blow Top Blues) (2:22)

12. Cool Blues (Take III) (Master Take) (3:07)

13. Cool Blues (Take IV) (2:50)

Notes: This is Parker’s first studio session after his stay in Camarillo.

Charlie Parker Session 47-02-26:

Date: 26 February 1947

Place: C.P. MacGregor Studios, Hollywood

Musicians: Charlie Parker’s New Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Howard McGhee trumpet, Wardell Gray tenor sax, Dodo Marmarosa piano, Barney Kessel guitar, Red Callendar bass, Don Lamond drums.

Recording: Commercial for Dial Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. 2.’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6202: Charlie Parker: The Complete Dial Sessions. Stash ST-CD-567 - 570. Vol. 2.

1. Relaxin’ At Camarillo (Take I) (3:06)

2. Relaxin’ At Camarillo (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:49)

3. Relaxin’ At Camarillo (Take III) (3:01)

4. Relaxin’ At Camarillo (Take IV) (2:58)

5. Cheers (Take I) (3:08)

6. Cheers (Take II) (3:04)

7. Cheers (Take III) (3:00)

8. Cheers (Take IV) (Master Take.) (3:04)

9. Carvin’ the Bird (Take I) (2:44)

10. Carvin’ the Bird (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:44)

11. Stupendous (Take I (Master Take.) (2:53)

12. Stupendous (Take II) (2:53)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-02-00 / 47-03-00:

Date: February or March 1947

Place: Probably somewhere in or near Los Angeles

Musicians: Jam Session: Charlie Parker alto sax, others unknown.

Recording: Dubbed (perhaps recorded by) Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Blues in B-Flat (1:44) [4/1]

Notes: There is perhaps some doubt as whether this was recorded at the Hi-De-Ho.

Numbers bracketed thus [4/1] indicate the location of the item in the Mosaic CD Benedetti Box; on that set this is on disc 4, and is track 1.

The bulk of the Benedetti material is incomplete, usually limited to Parker’s solos only, as Benedetti was trying to discover, and learn what Parker was doing on the saxophone, not to provide a public record. We are most fortunate that these recordings have survived the vagaries of a history of neglect.

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-01:

Date: 01 March 1947.

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. September In the Rain (2:09) [4/39]

2. Rose Room (1:32) [1/3]

3. Fifty-Second Street Theme (0:45) [1/5]

4. All the Things You Are (2:21) [1/4]

5. Blue ‘n’ Boogie (0:56) [1/1]

6. I Surrender Dear (0:57) [4/40]

7. Stardust (1:12) [1/2]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-01:

Date: 02 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Blues in F (0:22) [4/57]

2. The Man I Love (1:59) [1/9]

3. Cheers (I) (0:36) [4/58]

4. Byas a Drink (I) (2:28) [1/10]

5. Relaxin’ at Camarillo (1:05) [1/8]

6. I’m in the Mood for Love (I) (1:05) [1/12]

7. Yardbird Suite (1:20) [1/11]

8. September in the Rain (0:39) [4/5]

9. Sportsman’s Hop (0:34) [4/52]

10. Night and Day (0:11) [4/54]

11. The Very Thought of You (0:28) [4/55]

12. Hot House (1:58) [1/6]

13. Cheers (II) (0:59) [4/24]

14. I Don’t Stand a Ghost of A Chance (1:10) [1/7]

15. Wee (aka Big Noise) (I) (1:02) [1/13]

16. Bean Soup (2:22) [1/15]

17. Wee (aka Big Noise) (II) (0:35) [4/59]

18. I’m In the Mood for Love (II) (0:43) [4/2]

19. Fifty-Second Street Theme (?) (0:43) [4/64]

20. Carvin’ the Bird (1:01) [1/21]

21. Stardust (1:17) [1/14]

22. Byas a Drink (II) (1:56) [1/32]

23. Groovin’ High (1:36) [1/20] (“Last call for alcohol”)

24. It’s the Talk of the Town (1:47) [1/22]

25. Ornithology (0:11) [4/60]

26. Perdido (0:59) [4/61]

27. Sweet Georgia Brown (0:53) [1/19]

28. Night in Tunisia (0:59) [1/31]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-01, 2, 4 or 5:

Date: 1, 2, 4 or 5 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Bean Soup (1:04) [4/15]

2. Stardust (1:05) [3/35]

3. Hot House (I) (1:22) [1/28]

4. The Man I Love (I) (1:34) (1/27)

5. Fifty-Second Street Theme (1:02) [4/16]

6. Groovin’ High (1:14) [4/14]

7. I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance (1:08) (1/24)

8. Prisoner of Love ( or Body and Soul) (1:08) (1/26)

9. Indiana (0:58) (1/23)

10. Disorder at the Border (0:40) [4/13]

11. Ornithology (1:15) (1/25)

12. September in the Rain (0:50) [4/6]

13. Wee (Big Noise) (1:07) [4/12]

14. Hot House (II) (0:58) [4/17]

15. Sportsman’s Hop (0:46) [4/18]

16. Cool Blues (0:40) (1/18)

17. I’m In the Mood for Love (1:04) [1/17]

18. Cheers (0:41) [4/19]

19. The Man I Love II (1:18) [1/16]

20. Stuffy (0:43) (1/29)

21. Night and Day (1:12) (1/30)

22. Past Due (Relaxin’ At Camarillo) (?) (0:42) [4/56]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-06:

Date: 06 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Sportsman’s Hop (1:37) [1/36]

2. Night in Tunisia (0:59) [4/62]

3. The Very Thought of You (1:16) - v [3/38]

4. Perdido (0:55) [3/41]

5. Now’s the Time (0:53) [4/63]

6. Wee (Big Noise) (2:15) [3/39]

7. Hot House (2:06) [3/36]

8. Stuffy (0:13) [4/65]

9. Body and Soul (0:34) [4/76]

10. Ornithology (1:12) [4/25]

11. Sentimental Journey (0:26) [1/37]

12. Fifty-Second Street Theme (1:28) [1/39]

13. Groovin’ High (0:16) [4/26]

14. The Man I Love (1:41) [3/40]

15. I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance (1:08) [4/27]

16. Past Due (Relaxin’ at Camarillo) (1:38) [1/35]

17. Night and Day (1:01) [1/34]

18. Moose the Mooche (2:10) [1/33]

19. Cheers (1:06) [4/28]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-07:

Date: 07 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Rose Room (1:34) [2/7]

2. Groovin’ High (1:34) [4/66]

3. Wee (aka Big Noise) (I) (1:41) [4/8]

4. Byas a Drink (1:12) [2/4]

5. Body and Soul (I) (1:12) [2/3]

6. Hot House (I) (1:09) [2/1]

7. Cheers (1:06) [4/29]

8. Night in Tunisia (2:13) [2/2]

9. Now’s the Time (1:52) [2/5]

10. I’m in the Mood for Love (1:21) [2/8]

11. September in the Rain (2:07) [2/9]

12. I Surrender Dear (1:57) [1/41]

13. Dee Dee’s Dance (I) (2:18) [1/42]

14. Stuffy (1:44) [1/40]

15. Perdido (1:48) [1/39]

16. Body and Soul (II) (0:30) [4/30]

17. Wee (Big Noise) II (0:32) [4/11]

18. All the Things You Are (1:08) [2/12]

19. Relaxin’ at Camarillo (Past Due) (1:36) [2/11]

20. Sportsman’s Hop (2:07) [2/6]

21. Dee Dee’s Dance (II) (1:58) [2/13]

22. Stardust (1:06) [2/10]

23. I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance (?:??) (Unissued).

24. Ornithology (?:??) (Unissued).

25. The Man I Love (?:??) (Unissued).

26. Bean Soup (2:07) [4/53]

Notes: Three additional items from this session exist, in the possession of a Benedetti relative who declined requests from Mosaic to allow them to be released with this set.

(Items 23 - 25 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-01 - 07:

Date: 01 – 07 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Hot House (2:16) [4/20]

2. The Man I Love (1:46) [4/21]

3. Past Due (Relaxin’ at Camarillo) (2:33) [4/22]

4. S’Wonderful (Stupendous) (1:48) [4/23]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-08:

Date: 08 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Sportsman’s Hop (1:28) [2/14]

2. Dee Dee’s Dance (2:11) [2/16]

3. Stuffy (1:15) [4/31]

4. Hot House (1:05) [4/67]

5. Perdido (1:32) [3/42]

6. Disorder at the Border (1:58) [3/33]

7. I Surrender Dear (?) (0:07) [4/70]

8. I’m In the Mood For Love (0:57) [2/19]

9. Night and Day (0:03) [4/70]

10. Bean Stalking (2:08) [2/17]

11. September in the Rain (2:22) [2/18]

12. Now’s the Time (1:33) [2/20]

13. Wee (aka Big Noise) (2:16) [2/21]

14. Bean Soup (2:31) [2/22]

15. Body and Soul (0:48) [2/23]

16. Night and Day (0:08) [4/72]

17. Prisoner of Love (0:21) [4/32]

18. The Very Thought of You (0:07) [4/71]

19. Byas a Drink (2:20) [2/24]

20. All the Things You Are (0:30) [2/25]

21. Stardust (?) (0:05) [4/75]

22. Night in Tunisia (1:00) [3/37]

23. Ornithology (1:39) [2/15]

24. The Man I Love (1:45) [2/26]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-09:

Date: 09 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Perdido (I) (2:27) [2/28]

2. Indiana (2:33) [2/29]

3. Now’s the Time (1:52) [2/27]

4. Night in Tunisia (1:47) [3/3]

5. Sweet and Lovely (2:16) [3/31]

6. Stardust (0:11) [4/73]

7. Bean Soup (2:59) [2/31]

8. Perdido (II) (2:13) [2/34]

9. Moose the Mooche (1:22) [3/2]

10. Hot House (1:48) [2/32]

11. Dee Dee’s Dance (3:53) [3/30]

12. Ornithology (I) (Bird Lore) (1:46) [2/30]

13. Past Due (Relaxin’ at Camarillo) (1:14) [3/1]

14. Body and Soul (1:26) [2/36]

15. Ornithology (II) (1:18) [3/4]

16. The Man I Love (1:48) [2/33]

17. Stuffy (1:15) [4/33]

18. Ornithology (II) (1:57) [2/35]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-11:

Date: 11 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. S’ Wonderful (1:27) [3/5]

2. Disorder at the Border (1:00) [3/6]

3. September In the Rain (0:51) [4/4]

4. Now’s the Time (1:02) [3/8]

5. I’m in the Mood for Love (0:58) [4/1]

6. Rifftide (1:25) [3/9]

7. Dee Dee’s Dance (1:303) [4/34]

8. Ornithology (1:43) [3/34]

9. Cheers (1:06) [4/35]

10. Perdido (1:27) [3/7]

11. Byas a Drink (1:56) [4/36]

12. Wee (Big Noise) (1:06) [4/9]

13. The Very Thought of You (0:46) [4/37]

14. Stardust (?) (0:05) [4/74]

15. Bean Soup (1:27) [3/32]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-12:

Date: 12 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Blues in B-Flat (1:03) [3/18]

2. Unidentified Tune Ending (0:05) [4/68]

3. Sweet and Lovely (1:01) [3/11]

4. Perdido (1:46) [3/15]

5. Cheers (0:15) [4/38]

6. Sportsman’s Hop (1:09) [4/41]

7. Wee (aka Big Noise) (I) (0:20) [4/10]

8. Stuffy (0:56) [3/12]

9. Hot House (I) (0:45) [3/13]

10. Ornithology (0:50) [3/17]

11. Dee Dee’s Dance (1:26) [4/42]

12. The Man I Love (2:10) [3/14]

13. September In the Rain (0:18) [4/7]

14. I’m In the Mood for Love (0:56) [4/3]

15. Groovin’ High (2:10) [3/19]

16. Cheers (0:53) [4/43]

17. Byas a Drink (1:30) [4/44]

18. Prisoner of Love (?) (0:06) [4/69]

19. Stardust (0:53) - v [3/16]

20. Now’s the Time (0:39) [4/45]

21. Hot House (II) (?:??) (Unissued-bad sound).

22. Unidentified Tune (Stardust?) (0:03) [4/75]

23. Wee (aka Big Noise) (II) (1:14) [3/10]

24. Moose the Mooch (?:??) (Unissued).

25. Past Due (?:??) (Unissued).

Notes: Recordings of Moose the Mooch and Past Due remain unissued from this session, in the possession of a Benedetti relative - we live in hope. Item 21 remains unissued due to irredeemable sound problems in the recording.

(Items 21, 24 & 25 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 47-03-13:

Date: 13 March 1947

Place: Hi-De-Ho Club, Los Angeles

Musicians: Howard McGhee Quintet: Howard McGhee trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Hampton Hawes piano, Addison Farmer bass, Roy Porter drums.

Recording: Privately Recorded on Acetate by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Groovin’ High (0:43) [4/49]

2. September in the Rain (1:11) [3/29]

3. Wee (aka Big Noise) (1:22) [3/21]

4. Rifftide (0:43) [3/28]

5. Perdido (1:07) [3/25]

6. These Foolish Things (0:54) [4/77]

7. Body and Soul (0:22) [4/50]

8. Disorder at the Border (?) (0:30) [4/51]

9. Hot House (1:12) [4/46]

10. Moose the Mooch (0:47) [3/23]

11. Sportsman’s Hop (0:34) [4/47]

12. Blues in B-Flat (0:39) [4/48]

13. Ornithology (1:30) [3/22]

14. Stuffy (0:48) [3/26]

15. Night in Tunisia (1:20) [3/27]

16. Byas a Drink (0:51) [3/20]

17. Indiana (1:27) [3/24]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-05-08:

Date: 08 May 1947.

Place: Harry Smith Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Bud Powell piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Savoy Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8. Items 2 - 16, Vol. 2: Savoy Jazz CD Box Vol. 2 (ZDS 5500-2)

1. Donna Lee (Take I) (0:11) FS

(Studio Voices)

2. Donna Lee (Take II) (3:00) (CP)

3. Donna Lee (Take III) (2:31)

4. Donna Lee (Take IV) (2:35)

5. Donna Lee (Take V) (Master Take.) (2:32)

6. Chasin’ the Bird (Take I) (2:53)

7. Chasin’ the Bird (Take II) (False Start.) (0:19)

“Hold it.”

8. Chasin’ the Bird (Take II) (2:58)

9. Chasin’ the Bird (Take IV) (Master Take.) (2:44)

9a. Chasin’ the Bird

10. Cheryl (Take I) (False Start.) (0:04)

Bird says “Hold it, hold it.”

11. Cheryl (Take II( (Master Take.) (2:58)

12. Buzzy (Take I) (2:59)

13. Buzzy(Take II) (Incomplete.) (0:35)

“Hold it Charlie, Hold it.”

14. Buzzy (Take III) (2:38)

15. Buzzy (Take IV) (Incomplete.) (0:22)

“Hold it.”

16. Buzzy (V) (Master Take.) (2:30)

Notes:

Items 1 and 7 not in my collection.

Charlie Parker Session 47-08-14:

Date: 14 August 1947

Place: Harris Smith Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Miles Davis All Stars: Miles Davis, trumpet, Charlie Parker tenor sax, John Lewis piano, Nelson Boyd bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Savoy Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8; Vol. 3, Savoy Jazz CD Box Vol. 2 ZDS 5500-2.

1. Milestones (Take I) (False Start.) (0:19) (Interrupted by “Hold it.”)

2. Milestones (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:36)

2a. Milestones (New Take 2) (2:35)

3. Milestones (Take III) (2:45)

4. Little Willie Leaps (Take I) (Incomplete.) (0:51)

“Okay, you want to try it again?”

5. Little Willie Leaps (Take II) (3:09)

6. Little Willie Leaps (Take III) (Master Take.) (2:50)

7. Half Nelson (Take I) (2:50)

8. Half Nelson (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:44)

9. Sippin’ at Bells (Take I) (Incomplete.) (0:55)

“Hold it, fellas.”

10. Sippin’ at Bells (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:23)

11. Sippin’ at Bells (Take III) (False Start.) (0:06)

Okay, we’ll start it over.”

12. Sippin’ at Bells (Take IV) (2:26)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-09-13:

Date: 13 September 1947

Place: Mutual Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Barry Ulanov and his All Star Metronome Jazzmen: Charlie Parker as on items 1, 3 & 4, Dizzy Gillespie t on items 1, 3 & 4,, John LaPorta c, Lenny Tristano piano, Billy Bauer guitar, Ray Brown bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: US Treasury Radio Broadcast for Mutual

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 17, Philology CD W 847.2; LP-Spotlite 107; ZIM ZL 1001

1. Ko Ko (1:00) with voice-over by Bruce Elliott

Announcement into:

2. Hot House (5:44)

3. I Surrender Dear (3:21)

4. Fine and Dandy (3:41) with voice-over by Barry Ulanov and Bruce Elliott at the end.

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-09-20:

Date: 20 September 1947

Place: Mutual Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Barry Ulanov and his All Star Metronome Jazzmen: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, John LaPorta c, Lenny Tristano piano, Billy Bauer guitar, Ray Brown bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: US Treasury Radio Broadcast for Mutual

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 17. Philology CD W 847.2; LP-Spotlite 107; ZIM ZL 1001

1. Ko Ko (Theme with voice-over into;)

Announcement (0:52)

2. On the Sunny Side of the Street into

3. Fifty-Second Street Theme (3:42)

4. How Deep is the Ocean? (3:00)

5. Tiger Rag into

Announcement (4:13) into

6. Fifty Second Street Theme (0:48) (theme with voice-over)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-09-29:

Date: 29 September 1947

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Dizzy Gillespie Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, John Lewis piano, Al McGibbon bass, Joe Harris drums.

Recording: Live recordings issued first by Savoy.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 1; Charlie Parker, The Complete Live Performances on Savoy, Savoy Jazz, SVY-17021-24 – Disc 4; Cool and Blue C & B-CD105; Savoy Jazz CD ZDS 1177; Bird Box Vol. 1.

1. Night in Tunisia (5:11)

2. Dizzy Atmosphere (4:03)

3. Groovin’ High (5:15)

4. Confirmation (5:37)

5. Ko-Ko (4:12)

Notes: These remained for a long time unissued by Savoy, but are now made available by them.

Charlie Parker Session 47-10-28:

Date: 28 October 1947

Place: WOR Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Dial

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. 3.’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6203; Charlie Parker: The Complete Dial Sessions. Stash ST-CD-567 - 570. Vol. 3.

1. Dexterity (Take I) (2:57)

2. Dexterity (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:59)

3. Bongo Bop (aka Blues) (Take I) (Master Take.) (2:44)

4. Bongo Bop (aka Blues and Parker’s Blues) (Take II) (2:44)

5. Dewey Square (Take I) (aka Prezology and Bird Feathers) (3:28)

6. Dewey Square (Take II) (3:02)

7. Dewey Square (Take III) (Master Take.) (3:07)

8. The Hymn (Take I) (Master Take.) (2:31)

9. The Hymn (Take II) (aka Superman) (2:28)

10. Bird of Paradise (Take I) (aka All The Things You Are) (3:08)

11. Bird of Paradise (Take II) (3:10)

12. Bird of Paradise (Take III) (3:11)

13. Embraceable You (Take I) (3:47)

14. Embraceable You (Take II) (3:23)

Notes: Item 9 was originally issued as Superman, under The Miles Davis Quintet, Dial LP 212. Ian Carr, in his biography of Miles Davis, 1982 p. 271, states that there was an additional take of Dexterity that, as it has remained unissued, presumably has been lost. Bird of Paradise is supposedly a contrafact of All the Things You Are, in actual fact Embraceable You can more credibly be counted as a contrafact, as the melody is more varied, whereas Bird Feathers is closer to a straight rendition of the melody. Moreover as each were take of Bird of Paradise was initially issued together they are all considered to be master takes on the Stash issue. Stash make the further not that both takes of Embraceable you were issued on the same disc, but the second is considered the master, this they do not explain further.

Charlie Parker Session 47-11-04:

Date: 04 November 1947

Place: WOR Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Dial Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. .’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6203 for items 1 - 5; Charlie Parker, ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. 4.’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6204, items 6 - 10 Charlie Parker: The Complete Dial Sessions. Stash ST-CD-567 - 570. Vol. 3, items 1 - 5, Vol. 4, items 6 - 10.

1. Bird Feathers (aka Schnourphology) (2:51)

2. Klactoveesedstene (Take I) (Master Take.) (3:05)

3. Klactoveesedstene (Take II) (3:05)

4. Scrapple from the Apple (Take I) (2:39)

5. Scrapple from the Apple (aka Little Be-Bop) (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:58)

6. My Old Flame (3:14)

7. Out of Nowhere (Take I) (4:03)

8. Out of Nowhere (Take II) (3:50)

9. Out of Nowhere (Take III) (3:05)

10. Don’t Blame Me (2:47)

Notes: In every sense a direct continuation of the October 28 date. Five more beautiful ballad performances, following the five of the 28th. On the Toshiba/EMI issue items 1 & 2 are given the title Klact-Oveeseds-Teen!

Charlie Parker Session 47-11-08:

Date: 08 November 1947

Place: Mutual Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Barry Ulanov and his All Star Metronome Jazzmen: Charlie Parker alto sax, except 3, 5, & 6, Allen Eager ts on 9 only, Fats Navarro trumpet, except 3, 5 & 6, John La Porta c, except 3, & 6, Lenny Tristano piano, Billy Bauer guitar, Tommy Potter bass, Buddy Rich drums, Sarah Vaughan vocal on item 3.

Recording: US Treasury Radio Broadcast for Mutual

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 17. CD Philology CD W 847.2; LP-Spotlite 108 and Zim ZL 1002.

1. Fifty-Second Street Theme (1:40) (voice-over by Bruce Elliott)

Announcement by Barry Ulanov (0:35)

2. Donna Lee (2:22)

3. Everything I Have Is Yours (3:05)

Announcement by Barry Ulanov into

5. Fats Flats/Hot House (2:55)

Announcement by Barry Ulanov into

6. Tea For Two (2:34)

Announcement by Barry Ulanov into

7. Don’t Blame Me (3:11)

Announcement by Barry Ulanov into

8. Groovin’ High (3:35)

9. KoKo (5:41) (voice-over) into

10. Anthropology (0:36) (voice-over)

Notes: These are from the “Bands for Bonds” competition, that attempted to mimic the competition of the jam session whereby soloists played off against each other, here they are featured; Fats’ Flats was Navarro’s piece, Everything I Have Is Yours” Sarah Vaughan’s spot, Groovin’ High Allen Eager’s, Tea for Two John LaPorta’s and Don’t Blame Me spotlighted the Lennie Tristano Trio.

On item 5 Charlie Parker is heard on the out-chorus only, and does not have a solo on item 8.

Charlie Parker Session 47-11-23:

Date: 23 November 1947.

Place: Argyle Lounge, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker as except 23, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Private recording on acetates, perhaps dubbed from wire recordings.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 14, CD Philology W 844.2, items 1 - 22, Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 5/6, Philology CD W 19/29-2, item 24 only.

1. My Old Flame (2:08)

2. How High the Moon (2:36)

3. Big Foot (2:51)

4. Slow Boat to China (I) (2:23)

5. All of Me (v) (1:08)

6. Cheryl (2:47)

7. Home Sweet Home (0:32) into

8. Wee (I) (3:29)

9. Unknown Rhythm Tune (0:49)

10. Little Willie Leaps (3:30)

11. Dizzy Atmosphere (I) (2:00)

12. Be-Bop (I) (2:23) into

13. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (0:07)

14. Wee II (2:11)

15. All the Things You Are (1:16) - v

16. Be-Bop (II) (2:11)

17. Barbados (2:15)

18. Salt Peanuts (1:30)

19. Dizzy Atmosphere (II) (2:02)

20. On a Slow Boat to China (II) (2:02) into

21. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (Incomplete.) (0:42)

22. Embraceable You (Incomplete.) (1:10)

23. The Way You Look Tonight (Miles Only, unissued).

24. Night in Tunisia (2:58)

Notes: The date for this session is unconfirmed, sometimes it is noted as above, by Philology, or having been made over a serious of dates, Bregman et al., 1993, or as possible having been recorded late 1948, the opinionated, sometimes perceptively so but too often for comfort unsubstantiated Burton net ‘sessionography.’

Item 9 is possibly the theme tune.

(Item 23 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 47-11-22 to 23:

Date: 11 – 23 November 1947.

Place: Argyle Lounge or Pershing Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet

Recording: Private acetates, possibly dubbed from wire recordings).

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 18, Philology CD W 848.2.

1. Unknown Rhythm Tune (I) (2:22)

2. Blues Fragment (0:28)

3. Ornithology (2:15)

4. Unknown Rhythm Tune (II) (2:50)

Notes: Is item 4 Dizzy Atmosphere?

Charlie Parker Session 47-12-17:

Date: 17 December 1947

Place: WOR Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Sextet: Miles Davis trumpet, Jay Jay Johnson tb, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Dial Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Charlie Parker on Dial Vol. 5.’ Spotlight/Toshiba-EMI CD TOCJ-6204, Charlie Parker; The Complete Dial Sessions. Stash ST-CD-567 - 570. Vol. 4.

1. Drifting on a Reed (aka Big Foot, Giant Swing) (Take I) (2:56)

2. Drifting on a Reed (aka Big Foot) (Take II) (2:53)

3. Drifting on a Reed (aka Big Foot, Air Conditioning) (Take III) (Master Take.) (2:52)

4. Quasimodo (aka Trade Winds) (Take I) (2:54)

5. Quasimodo (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:52)

6. Charlie’s Wig (aka Bongo Bop) (Take I) (2:46)

7. Charlie’s Wig (aka Driftin’ on a Reed) (Take II) (2:46)

8. Charlie’s Wig (Take III) (Master Take.) (2:42)

9. Bongo Beep (aka Dexterity) (Take I) (2:57)

10. Bongo Beep (aka Bird Feathers) (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:57)

11. Crazeology (Take I) (Incomplete.) (1:00)

12. Crazeology (Take II) (Incomplete.) (0:32)

13. Crazeology (Take III) (2:57)

14. Crazeology (aka Move, Bird Feathers) (Take IV) (Master Take.) (2:57)

15. How Deep Is the Ocean (Master Take.) (Take I) (3:23)

16. How Deep Is the Ocean (Take II) (3:07)

Notes: The Stash issue claims that the takes of Drifting on a Reed begin with take 2 through to 4, Likewise Charlie’s Wig, Bongo Beep, the last through to take 3; not beginning with take 1 in each case as listed above, which derived from the Burton net listing. This needs further clarification, should anyone have any information please do not hesitate to contact me concerning that. Furthermore, in live sessions Parker announced Dexterity as know as Big Foot, although each take was also issued under the additional titles by Dial, as listed above. This is Charlie Parker’s final Dial Record’s recording session. Items 10 and 11 are both excerpts; item 10 is of theme and solo; item 11 is solo.

Charlie Parker Session 47-12-21:

Date: 21 December 1947

Place: United Sound Studios, Detroit, Michigan

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Savoy Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 3, again there are absent false starts and additional items, 1a, 6a, & 11a; Savoy Jazz Box, Vol. 2, ZDS 5500-2, items 1 - 7, Vol. 3, ZDS 5500-3 for items 8 - 11.

1a. Another Hair-Do (Original take) (2:36)

1. Another Hair-Do (Take I) (Incomplete.) (0:14)

Bird says “Hold it, start it once more.”

2. Another Hair-Do (Take II) (Incomplete.) (0:44)

Bird talks again, “let’s see how it goes down this time.”

3. Another Hair-Do (Take III) (Incomplete.) (1:04)

Studio voices

4. Another Hair-Do (Take IV) (Master Take.) (2:37)

5. Bluebird (Take I) (2:53)

6. Bluebird (Take II) (False Start.) (0:03)

6a. Bluebird (Original Take III) (2:37)

7. Bluebird (Take III) (Master Take.) (2:50)

8. Klaunstance (aka The Way You Look Tonight) (Master Take.) (2:53)

9. Bird Gets the Worm (aka Lover Come Back) (Take I) (3:00)

10. Bird Gets the Worm (Take II) (0:10)

11.a Bird Gets the Worm (Original Take II) (2:34)

11. Bird Gets the Worm (Take III) (Master Take.) (2:35)

Notes: With the Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8 issue items 10 & 11 are incorrectly listed as Bird Gets the Warm!

(Items 3, 6 & 10, are not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 47-12-00:

Date: ?? December 1947

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Hank Jones piano, Ray Brown bass, Shelly Manne drums.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird, The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve, Disc 2, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. The Bird (4:44)

Notes: The piece is built on the chord structure of a piece called Topsy. What were the precise circumstances of this being recorded?

Charlie Parker Session 47-12-00:

Date: ?? December 1947

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with Neal Hefti’s Orchestra: Al Porcino, Doug Mettome, & Ray Watzel trumpet, Bill Harris tb, Bart Varsalona b tb, Vinneis Jacobs French horn, John LaPorta cl, Charlie Parker Murray Williams, & Sonny Salad alto sax, Pete Mondello, & Flip Phillips tenor sax, Manny Albam baritone sax, Gene Orloff violin, concert master, Sammy Caplan, Manny Fidler, Sid Harris, Harry Katzman, & Zelly Smirnoff violin, Nat Nathanson & Fred Ruzilla, viola, Joe Benaventi cello, Tony Aless piano, Curly Russell bass, Shelly Manne, drums, Diego Iborra percussion, Neal Hefti arranger, conductor.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird, The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve, Disc 2, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. Repetition (2:57)

Notes: Parker quotes from Stravinsky’s Rights of Spring, in this piece. The notes to the Verve set repudiate the suggestion that Parker’s solo was dubbed onto the band recording at a later date.

Charlie Parker Session 47-00-00:

Date: Unknown 1947

Place: Washington Music Hall, Washington, D.C.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Sextet: unknown trumpet, Earl Swope trombone, Nat Cole or Al Haig piano, unknown bass, Buddy Rich drums.

Recording: Private Recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 17, Philology CD W 847.2.

1. Scrapple from the Apple (Incomplete) (1:33)

2. Bernie’s Tune (Incomplete) (1:41)

3. C Jam Blues (Incomplete) (1:40)

4. KoKo (Incomplete) (3:40)

5. These Foolish Things (2:33)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 47-00-00 or 49-00-00:

Date: Unknown, Perhaps 1947, probably 1949.

Place: Unknown.

Musicians: Group unknown, probably a quintet, with a male baritone.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Barbados (3:03)

2. Embraceable You (1:10)

Momentary Fifty-Second Street Theme & vocal fragment

3. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (2:10) (Solo)

4. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (0:37) (Solo)

5. Stardust (2:19)

6. Slow Boat To China (3:35) into

7. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) into

8. How High the Moon (3:07)

9. I Can’t Get Started (1:10)

10. Groovin’ High (3:30)

11. Cool Blues (3:20)

Notes: Information for this session came from the Burton internet sessionography, where he gives the above dates as possible, I cannot disprove or verify this, having heard none of the above.

Burton also makes the following notes concerning the above tunes: Item 5 ends with Country Garden theme going into item 6; 9 starts with Parker’s solo, continues through the last 8 bars with trumpet, ending with Country Gardens quote; item 10 ends after the trumpet solo.

(All not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 48-01-00:

Date: ?? January 1948

Place: New Savoy Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 14, Philology CD W 844.2.

1. The Chase (1:39)

2. Drifting on a Reed (aka Big Foot) (1:41)

Notes: The personnel listing is probably as above.

Charlie Parker Session 48-03-00:

Date: ?? March 1948

Place: The Three Deuces, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Private Recording by Dean Benedetti.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129, Disc 5

1. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (3:44) [5/7]

2. Dizzy Atmosphere (2:56) [5/9]

3. My Old Flame (0:26) (Incomplete.) [5/10]

4. All the Things You Are (4:50) - (V) [5/13]

5. Half Nelson (4:36) [5/12]

6. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (2:36) (With CP voice-over) [5/11]

7. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (1:21) (With CP voice-over) [5/14]

8. Big Foot (aka Drifting on a Reed) (4:24) [5/8]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 48-07-06 to 48-07-11:

Date: 06 – 11 July 1948

Place: The Onyx Club, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Tape Recorded by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (1:31) [7/26]

2. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (1:10) [6/1]

3. Out of Nowhere (I) (5:40) [6/2]

4. My Old Flame (I) (2:22) [6/3]

5. Chasin’ the Bird (1:39) [6/4]

6. The Way You Look Tonight (I) (6:19) [6/5]

7. This Time the Dream’s On Me (I) (4:35) [6/6]

8. Shaw ‘Nuff (3:48) [6/7]

9. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) into

CP announces the pianist (0:21) [6/8]

10. Fifty-Second Street Theme (IV) (1:16) [7/32]

11. Cheryl (0:21) [6/9]

12. Ornithology (aka Bird Lore, How High the Moon) (1:57) [6/10]

13. These Foolish Things (1:30) [6/11]

14. Groovin’ High (2:14) [6/12]

15. Little Willie Leaps (2:05) [6/13]

Bird introducing Earl Coleman into

16. Night and Day (2:36) [7/24]

17. This Time the Dream’s On Me (II) (4:42) [6/15]

18. Fifty-Second Street Theme (V) (2:23) [6/14]

19. The Way You Look Tonight (II) (4:10) [6/16]

20. Out of Nowhere (II) (2:25) [6/17]

21. My Old Flame II (0:31) [6/18]

22. Big Foot (?) (1:20) [6/19] with CP voice-over

Notes: For Item 11 Burton wrote the following; fragment of head, sounds like a breakdown, rehearsal, with a question mark; item 11 CP quotes the Woody Woodpecker theme.

Charlie Parker Session 48-07-07:

Date: 07 July 1948

Place: The Onyx Club, New York City, NY., NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Tape Recorded by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Out of Nowhere with a Country Gardens tag (0:50) [6/20]

2. How High the Moon (2:43) [6/21] into

3. Fifty-Second Street Theme (0:08) [6/22]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 48-07-10:

Date: Afternoon, 10 July 1948.

Place: The Onyx Club

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Tape Recorded by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Chasin’ the Bird (4:42) [6/23]

2. Don’t Blame Me (0:39) [6/24]

3. Tico Tico (2:03) [6/25]

4. Out of Nowhere (2:13) [6/26]

Voices, including Bird’s, someone requests Indiana

5. Indiana/Donna Lee (2:38) [6/27]

Notes: Benedetti recorded these during the afternoon rehearsal for the show, returning at night to record the following session. No.073:

Charlie Parker Session 48-07-10:

Date: 10 July 1948

Place: The Onyx Club

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums, Carmen McCrea vocal on.

Recording: Tape Recorded by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (0:25) [7/1]

2. How High the Moon (I) (3:06) [7/2]

3. I’m In the Mood For Love (1:27) [7/3]

4. This Time the Dream’s on Me (3:23) [7/4]

5. Yesterdays (0:18) [7/5]

6. Fifty-Second Street Theme II (0:08) [7/6] Bird voice-over

7. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (0:02) [7/7] into

8. How High the Moon II (6:13)

9. Groovin’ High (2:11) [7/8]

10. What Price Love (aka Yardbird Suite) (I) (2:37) [7/29]

11. What Price Love (aka Yardbird Suite) (II) (0:18) [7/30]

12. Fifty-Second Street Theme (IV) (1:52) [7/9] CP introducing Earl Coleman)

13. Blues (2:24) [7/10]

Notes: Item 13 identified as Cheryl by Mosaic. CP quotes Woody Woodpecker on item 2, and Tico Tico on item 4. Burton makes a note after item 13; “voices, someone’s hassling Dean?”

Charlie Parker Session 48-07-11:

Date: 11 July 1948

Place: The Onyx Club

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Thelonious Monk p on item 3 only, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Private recording by Dean Benedetti

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Benedetti Recordings, Mosaic MD7- 129.

1. All the Things You Are (2:46) [7/11] into

Announcement

2. Country Garden (Ballad Ending) (0:07) [7/12]

3. Well You Needn’t (2:33) [7/31]

4. Big Foot (3:57) [7/13]

5. I Can’t Get Started] into

CP announcement (1:12) [7/14]

6. Dizzy Atmosphere (4:24) [7/15]

7. Spotlite (2:39) [7/16] into

8. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (0:08) [7/17]

9. How High the Moon (3:57) [7/18]

10. September Song with Country Gardens tag (1:41) [7/19]

11. Hot House (3:49) [7/20]

12. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (0:58) [7/21] with voice-over

13. Night in Tunisia (3:29) [7/22]

14. My Old Flame (1:51) [7/23]

15. The Hymn (1:24) [7/25]

16. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (1:31) [7/26]

17. Half Nelson (1:12) [7/27].

18. Little Willie Leaps (0:27) [7/28]

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 48-08-00:

Date: ?? August 1948

Place: Pershing Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 5/6 Philology CD W 19/29-2.

1. Groovin’ High (1:25)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 48-08-??:

Date: ?? August 1948

Place: Pershing Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Dizzy Gillespie Big Band: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Burns, Willie Cook, & Elmon Wright trumpet, Jesse Tarrant, Andy Duryea trombone, John Brown, Ernie Henry alto sax, Joe Gayles, James Moody tenor sax, Cecil Payne baritone sax, James Foreman Jr. piano, Nelson Boyd bass, Teddy Stewert drums, Chano Pozo conga.

Recording: Private recording on Acetates.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 13, Philology CD W 843.2, for items 1 - 13, 15 - 16, 18 - 20, & 22; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 5/6 CD Philology W19/29-2, for item 14 only; Stash STB-2500 items 1 (1:28), 2.

1. Yesterdays (3:44)

2. ‘Round Midnight (3:19)

3. Algo Bueno (1:39)

4. Manteca (2:12)

5. Ool ya koo (I) (0:48)

6. Loverman (2:00)

7. Good Bait (1:45)

8. Good Bait (2:25)

9. Ballad Fragment (0:32)

10. Half Nelson (2:50) (tape)

11. Things to Come (2:18)

10. Ooo-Bop-She-Bam (1:32)

11. Night in Tunisia (3:16)

12. What Is This Thing Called Love (0:52)

13. Groovin’ High (1:45)

14. Ool Ya Koo (II) (1:54) (Woody Woodpecker quote)

15. I Can’t Get Started (3:38)

16. All the Things You Are (0:50) (sixteen measures)

17. Unknown Tune (2:26) (Unissued.).

18. Unknown Tune (0:43)

19. Don’t Blame Me (1:55)

20. Cool Breeze (0:47)

21. Unknown Fragment (0:31) (Unissued.)

22. Ornithology (2:22)

23. Unknown Fragment (2:59) (Theme?) (Unissued.).

Notes: Burton notes that there is no CP solo, but a Miles Davis one, on items 8, 9, & 10, and no CP solo on 20; that item 23 is an uptempo piece; and that item 17 may be a contrafact of I Got Rhythm.

Charlie Parker Session 48-09-04:

Date: 04 September 1948

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Tadd Dameron piano, Curley Russell bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast by

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years (Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8) Vol. 5, plus other announcements; Roost Vol. 1, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4411.

Announcement by Bob Garrity and Symphony Sid (0:37) into

1. Theme (0:42) Sid talking over into

2. Fifty-Second Street Theme (4:18)

3. KoKo (2:30)

4. Fifty-Second Street Theme (0:32) voice-over

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 48-09-18:

Date: 18 September 1948

Place: Harry Smith Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, (except 12 - 16), John Lewis piano, Curly Russell bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Savoy

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years (Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8) Vol. 4; Savoy Jazz CD Box Vol. 3 (ZDS 5500-3)

1. Barbados (Take I) (2:36)

2. Barbados (Take II) (Incomplete.) (0:43)

“Hold it,” Bird (?) says “Okay.”

3. Barbados (Take II) (2:34)

4. Barbados (Take IV) (Master Take.) (2:27)

5. Ah-Leu-Cha (Take I) (Incomplete.) (0:36)

Bird says “Hold it, hold it.”

6. Ah-Leu-Cha (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:53)

?7. Constellation (Take I) (Incomplete.) (0:10)

“Hold it.”

8. Constellation (Take II) (2:32)

“Roll ‘em, Ronnie.”

9. Constellation (Take II) (Incomplete.) (2:23)

10. Constellation (Take IV) (Incomplete.) (0:22)

Bird says “One more.”

11. Constellation (Take V) (Master Take.) (2:27)

?12. Parker’s Mood (Take I) (False Start.) (0:05)

“Okay, try it again.”

13. Parker’s Mood (Take II) (3:23)

?14. Parker’s Mood (Take III) (False Start.) (0:11)

“Alright, Hold it, hold it.”

14a. Parker’s Mood (Original Take 3) (3:00)

15. Parker’s Mood (Take IV) (Incomplete.) (2:25)

16. Parker’s Mood (Take V) (Master Take.) (3:01)

Notes:

(Items 7, 12, & 14 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 48-09-24:

Date: 24 September 1948

Place: Harry Smith Studios, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis t out on l-p), John Lewis piano, Curly Russell bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Savoy Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 4; Savoy Jazz CD Box Vol. 3, ZDS 5500-3.

1. Perhaps (Take I) (2:09)

2. Perhaps (Take II) (Incomplete.) (0:27)

3. Perhaps (Take III) (2:08)

4. Perhaps (Take IV) (Incomplete.) (0:18)

“Alright, we’ll cut again, Jack.”

5. Perhaps (Take V) (Incomplete.) (0:34)

Bird says “Once more,” and to “Pick it up.”

6. Perhaps (Take VI) (2:24)

Bird says to play it back

7. Perhaps (Take VII) (Master Take.) (2:33)

8. Marmaduke (Take I) (False Start.) (0:03)

“Alright, we’ll start again.”

9. Marmaduke (Take II) (Incomplete.) (1:15)

Bird says “Hold it.”

10. Marmaduke (Take III) (Incomplete.) (0:52)

11. Marmaduke (Take IV) (False Start.) (0:04)

12. Marmaduke (Take V) (2:51)

13. Marmaduke (Take VI) (False Start.) (0:06)

14. Marmaduke (Take VII) (Incomplete.) (0:59)

“Pick them up, Jack”

15. Marmaduke (Take VIII) (False Start.) (0:03)

Bird says “Once more.”

16. Marmaduke (Take IX) (3:01)

Bird says, “Play that back, please.”

17. Marmaduke (Take X) (Incomplete.) (0:30)

“Hold it, we’ll start again, Jack.”

18. Marmaduke (Take XI) (Incomplete.) (0:44)

Sounds like Bird’s saying “I don’t know, I crashed.”

19. Marmaduke (Take XII) (Master Take.) (2:41)

Bird says “Downbeat.”

20. Steeplechase (Take I) (False Start.) (0:10)

“Hold it, Jack.”

21. Steeplechase (Take II) (Master Take.) (3:03)

22. Merry-Go-Round (Take I) (2:17)

23. Merry-Go-Round (Take II) (Master Take.) (2:24)

Notes:

(Items 8 & 11 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 48-10-00 or 48-11-00:

Date: October or November 1948.

Place: Waukegan, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Duke Jordan piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Private wire recordings dubbed onto acetates

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 1/4. Philology CD W 5/18-2, for items 1-7; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 5/6, W 19/29-2, for item 8; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 14, Philology CD W 844.2, for item 9.

1. Dexterity (3:29)

2. The Way You Look Tonight (3:07)

3. Barbados (2:59)

4. All the Things You Are (1:59)

5. Embraceable You (I) (2:04)

6. Ornithology (How High the Moon) (1:18)

7. Fifty-Second Street Theme (1:58)

8. Diggin’ Diz (aka Lover) (3:02)

9. Embraceable You (II) (Incomplete.) (0:53)

10. Slow Boat to China (?:??) (Unissued.).

11. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (?:??) (Unissued.).

Notes: Other than CP, the above personnel are not definite. According to Vail, 1996 pp. 42 - 44, CP was in New York City, NY., on October 10, when he performed at the Royal Roost, and with the Jazz at the Philharmonic; at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY., November 06, Masonic Temple, Detroit, November 13, Denman Auditorium, Moor Theatre, Seattle November 16, Portland Auditorium, Portland November 19, November 20, Long Beach, CA., November 22 Shrine Auditorium, LA, November 23, and Chicago’s Civic Opera House, November 26; between November 16 and 19 he was interviewed by Al ‘Jazzbo’ Collins, in Salt Lake City.

This schedule would suggest either a date in October, Early November, or after November 26 is likely, if the months are correct.

(Items 10 and 11 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 48-12-11:

Date: 11 December 1948

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8; Vol. 5; Roost Vol. 1, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4411.

1. Jumping With Symphony Sid (1:04) with Sid voice-over

2. Groovin’ High (4:50)

Sid talks with Bird (0:36)

3. Big Foot (4:43)

Announcement by Sid (0:30)

4. Ornithology (5:41)

Announcement by Sid (0:21)

5. On a Slow Boat to China (5:03)

Announcement by Sid (0:48)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 48-12-12:

Date: 12 December 1948

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker as & vocal on 2, Miles Davis trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8) Vol. 5; Roost Vol. 1, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4411.

Announcement (0:32)

1. Hot House (4:19)

Announcement (0:16)

2. Salt Peanuts (3:48)

Announcement (0:24)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 48-12-18:

Date: 18 December 1948

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8; Vol. 5; Roost Vol. 1, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4411.

1. Jumping With Symphony Sid (1:24) (with Sid voice over)

2. Chasin’ the Bird (4:21)

Announcement by Sid (0:53)

3. Out of Nowhere (3:19)

Announcement by Sid (0:16)

4. How High the Moon (2:50)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 48-12-20:

Date: 20 December 1948

Place: Unknown Recording Studio, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Machito and His Orchestra: Mario Bauza, Frank “Paquita” Davilla, Bob Woodlen trumpet, Charlie Parker, Gene Johnson, Fred Skerrit alto sax, Leslie Johnakins baritone sax, Rene Hernandez piano, Roberto Rodriguez bass, Jose Manguel bongo, Luis Miranda conga, Umbaldo Nieto timbales, Machito maraccas.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 2, Verve 837 141-2.

1. No Noise, Parts I and II (5:53)

2. No Noise, Part Two (2:55)

3. Mango Mangue (3:02)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 48-12-25:

Date: 25 December 1948

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 6; Roost Vol. 2, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4412.

Announcement from studio by Bob Garrity into

1. Jumping With Symphony Sid/Jingle Bells (1:39) (Symphony Sid voice-over)

2. Half Nelson (4:27)

Announcement by Sid (0:50)

3. White Christmas (4:50)

Announcement by Sid, Bird says “Right.” (0:35)

4. Little Willie Leaps (3:38) into

5. Fifty-Second Street Theme (1:45) with voice-over by Sid and Garrity

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-01-01:

Date: 01 January 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Flip Phillips and Charlie Ventura tenor sax on items 9 - 10 only, Kenny Dorham trumpet except items 9 - 10, Conte Condoli ttrumpet items 9 - 10 only, Benny Green trombone items 9 - 10 only, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Curley Russell bass items 9 - 10 only, Joe Harris drums, Shelly Manne drums items 9 - 10 only, Ed Shaugnessy drums items 9 - 10 only.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 6; Roost Vol. 2, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4412.

1. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid/Auld Lang Syne (1:18) voice-over by Sid

2. Be-Bop (3:48)

Announcement by Sid (0:25)

3. On a Slow Boat to China (4:16)

Announcement by Sid (0:43)

4. Ornithology (4:43)

Announcement by Sid (0:08)

5. Groovin’ High (4:46)

Sid and Bird talk (1:16)

6. East of the Sun (4:38)

Announcement by Sid (0:26)

7. Cheryl (4:21)

Announcement by Symphony Sid (1:03)

8. How High the Moon/Ornithology (4:31) into

9. Jumping With Symphony Sid (0:15) with voice-over

Notes: This is a lively New Year’s eve broadcast, with a mass jam session, items 9 - 10, that is more messy than lively.

Charlie Parker Session 49-01-03:

Date: 03 January 1949

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Metronome All Stars: Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Fats Navarro trumpet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Jay Jay Johnson, Kai Winding trombone, Buddy Defranco c, Charlie Ventura tenor sax, Ernie Carceres baritone sax, Billy Bauer guitar, Lennie Tristano piano, Eddie Safranski bass, Shelly Manne drums, Pete Rugulo (directing)

Recording: Commercial for RCA Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: RCA Bluebird 7636-1-RB, for items 1-4; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 14, Philology CD W 844.2, for item 5.

1. Overtime (4:32)

2. Overtime (3:07)

3. Victory Ball (4:14)

4. Victory Ball (2:39)

5. Victory Ball (2:39)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-01-00:

Date: ?? January 1949

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Machito and his Orchestra

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 2, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Okiedoke (3:02)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-01-15:

Date: 15 January 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Joe Harris drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 7; Roost Vol. 3, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4413.

Announcement (0:59)

1. Scrapple From the Apple (4:05)

1 Announcement (0:28)

2. Be-Bop (3:20)

Announcement (0:14)

3. Hot House (5:10)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-01-22:

Date: 22 January 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 7; Roost Vol. 3, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4413.

1. Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid (1:12) with voice-over

2. Oop Bop Sh’Bam (4:53)

Announcement (0:42)

3. Scrapple from the Apple (4:29)

Announcement (0:25)

4. Salt Peanuts (4:06) into

5. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (0:35) with voice-over

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-01-29:

Date: 29 January 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years (Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8) Vol. 7; Roost Vol. 3, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4413.

1. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (0:57) with voice-over

2. Groovin’ High (3:42)

Announcement (0:22)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-02-05:

Date: 05 February 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 7, Roost Vol. 3, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4413.

1. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (0:58) with voice-over

2. Scrapple from the Apple (3:22)

Announcement (0:21)

3. Barbados (3:49)

Announcement (0:09)

4. Salt Peanuts (3:33) into

5. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (1:27) with voice-over

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-02-11:

Date: 11 February 1949

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Jazz at the Philharmonic: Charlie Parker alto sax on 1 – 3, 8 – 11 & 13 – 14, Sonny Criss alto sax on 1 – 3 & 13 – 14, Flip Phillips tenor sax on 1 – 3, & 13 – 14,, Coleman Hawkins tenor sax on 4 – 7 & 13 – 14, Fat Navarro trumpet 1 – 7; Tommy Turk trombone on 1 – 3 & 13 – 14, Hank Jones piano 1 – 7, Ray Brown bass on 1 - 7, Shelley Manne drums 1 – 7, Ella Fitzgerald vocals 12 only, Machito Orchestra items 8 – 12, consisting of Charlie Parker – alto sax; Mario Bauza, Frank “Paquito” Davilla, and Bob Woodlen – trumpet; Gene Johnson – alto sax; Fred Skerritt – alto sax; Jose Madera – tenor sax; Leslie Johnakins – baritone sax; Rene Hernandez – piano; Roberto Rodriguez – bass; Jose Mangual – bongo; Luis Miranda – conga; Umbaldo Nieto – timbales; Frank ‘Machito’ Grillo – maracas.

Recording: Norman Granz Jazz at the Philharmonic.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Jazz at the Philharmonic, J.A.T.P. at Carnegie Hall, 1949, Pablo PACD-5311-2; for 1 to 7; Charlie Parker; Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 29, Philology CD W 860, for items 8 – 12; Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 37, Philology CD W 860, for items 13 – 15.

Norman Granz introduction, (1:

1. Leap Here (11:23)

2. Indiana (Back Home Again In) (11:18)

3. Lover Come Back to Me (15:30)

Norman Granz Introduction of Coleman Hawkins

4. Rifftide (5:17)

5. Sophisticated Lady (4:26)

6. The Things We Did Last Summer

7. Stuffy

8. No Noise (6:38)

9. Mango Mangue (6:38)

10. Tanga (6:22)

11. No, No, Yes, Yes (4:48)

12. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (2:42)

13. Cherokee (4:00)

14. Perdido (13:00)

15. How High the Moon (8:00)

Notes: This is the only recorded instance of Parker playing Leap Here. The last recorded instance of performing Rifftide was 13 March 1947, as part of the Benedetti recordings..

The disk note for the Pablo PACD-5311-2 incorrectly date this session as 2 November 1949.

The information listed for items 8 – 15 is provisional at this moment, in addition to the material issued by Pablo there is said to be an additional one hour of music from this date. The above represents a portion of that. Items 8 – 11 are Charlie Parker with the Machito Orchestra item 12 is Ella Fitzgerald and her trio only; Items 13 – 15 are said to feature Charlie Parker, Sonny Criss, Coleman Hawkins, Flip Philips, Fats Navarro, Tommy Turk, Hank Jones, Ray Brown and Shelly Manne.

Item 12 features Ella Fitzgerald and her trio only.

Charlie Parker Session 49-02-12:

Date: 12 February 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 7; Roost Vol. 3, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4413.

Announcement (0:09)

1. Scrapple from the Apple (4:27)

Announcement (0:21)

2. Barbados (3:49)

Announcement (0:13)

3. Be-Bop (3:13) into

4. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (0:52) with voice-over, Sid and Dinah Washington

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-02-19:

Date: 19 February 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 8; Roost Vol. 4, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4414.

Announcement (0:05)

1. Groovin’ High (4:43)

Announcement (0:08)

2. Confirmation (3:30)

Announcement (0:14)

3. Salt Peanuts (3:39) into

4. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (0:52) (with voice-over)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-02-21:

Date: 21 February 1949

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Metronome Award Show; Charlie Parker alto sax, Joe Bushkin piano, Chubby Jackson bass, George Wettling drums, Shorty Sherrock t on item 3 only, and Sidney Bechet ss & Unknown tb, join the finale jam session only.

Recording: Television Broadcast WPIX; home, audio only, recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 21, Philology CD W 851.2; CD Stash CD-21.

Announcements (CP voice) into

1. Now’s the Time (3:22)

Studio chatter into

2. Lover (2:57)

Announcement

3. I Can’t Get Started into

4. Dixieland Blues (aka Jam) (?:??)

Notes: With the Philology release, where Dixieland Blues is titled Jam (Blues). According to Vail, 1996, p. 52, Charlie Parker appeared on TV, to receive and award, presented by Charles Dealuney. Player data from that source also.

Charlie Parker Session 49-02-26:

Date: 26 February 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Septet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Milt Jackson (v), Lucky Thompson tenor sax, Al Haig, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach (d); vocals by Dave Lambert and Buddy Stewart on items 4 & 5 only.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years (Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8) Vol. 8; Roost Vol. 4, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4414.

Announcement (0:08)

1. Half Nelson (3:24)

Announcement (0:22)

2. Night in Tunisia (4:33)

Announcement (0:25)

3. Scrapple from the Apple (4:34)

Announcement (0:22)

4. Deedle (2:01)

Introductions by Dave Lambert and Buddy Stewart (0:38)

5. What’s This (1:37) into

6. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (0:39) with voice-over

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-03-00:

Date: ?? March 1949

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker and his Orchestra: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Tommy Turk trombone, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums, Carlos Vidal conga.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 2, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Cardboard (3:08)

2. Visa (2:58)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-03-04:

Date: 04 March 1949

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Mike Caluccio p except 1, Joe Sullivan p on item 1 only, Max Roach and Specs Powell drums, Kai Winding and Will Bradley tb, Miles Davis and Max Kaminski trumpet, Joe Marsala c, Ann Hathaway vocal on item 3 only.

Recording: CBS Television “Adventures in Jazz”; home, audio only, recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 21, Philology CD W 851.2; CD Stash CD-21.

Announcements CP voice

1. Anthropology (2:52)

Announcement

2. Bop City (1:27)

Announcement

3. I Get a Kick Out of You (2:59)

Announcement

4. Big Foot (5:53)

Notes: On the Philology release item 4 is listed as Big Foot, it is the finale jam.

Charlie Parker Session 49-03-05:

Date: 05 March 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Septet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Lucky Thompson tenor sax, Milt Jackson vibes, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums, Dave Lambert on 5, 6 & 7, Buddy Stewart vocals on 6 & 7.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 8; Roost Vol. 4, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4414.

1. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (1:12) with voice-over by Sid

2. Cheryl (3:39)

Announcement by Sid (0:29)

3. Anthropology (5:06)

4. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (1:11) with voice-over

5. Hurry Home (2:18)

6. Deedle (2:03)

7. Royal Roost Bop (aka All the Things You Are) (2:10)

8. Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid (2:02) with voice-over by Sid

Notes: This was broadcast in the very early in the hours of the morning of Saturday the 5th, featuring Charlie Parker Quintet and some guests.

Charlie Parker Session 49-03-05:

Date: 05 March 1949

Place: Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Musicians: Charlie Parker All Stars with Kenny Dorham trumpet, Lucky Thompson tenor sax, Al Haig piano, Milt Jackson vibes on 2, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Air check

Alternate Issues: Queen-disc 002 (Italy), there the recording date is given as 12 March 1949.

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 16, Philology CD W 846.2, for both items, but no announcement; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 1, for announcement and Item 1; CD Birdbox Vol. 1, for announcement and Item 1; LP Jazz Showcase 5003, for item 2.

Announcement

1. Barbados (3:26)

2. Anthropology (2:18)

Notes: This was a Youth Forum held at the Waldorf that was organised by the New York Herald Tribune, presented by Rudi Blesh entitled ‘Battle of the Bands, where Parker’s Quintet played opposite a Dixieland land band led by Sidney Bechet on Saturday morning. (Information regarding this from Vail, 1996 p. 54.)

Charlie Parker Session 49-03-12:

Date: 12 March 1949

Place: Royal Roost, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Septet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Lucky Thompson tenor sax, Milt Jackson vibes, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Recording of Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, The Complete Charlie Parker on Savoy Years, Nippon Columbia COCY-75791/8, Vol. 8; Roost Vol. 4, CD Savoy Jazz ZDS 4414.

Announcement (0:15)

1. Cheryl (3:19)

Introduction by Charlie Parker

2. On a Slow Boat to China (3:39)

Announcement, Bird’s voice is heard, Ezra Charles introduced (1:18)

3. Chasin’ the Bird (6:27) into

4. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (0:07)

Notes: Another early hours broadcast of the Charlie Parker Quintet, with guests. Symphony Sid announces Lucky Thompson, as Lucky Thomas.

Charlie Parker Session 49-05-03:

Date: 05 May 1949

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 2, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Segment (Tune X) (3:19)

2. Diverse (Tune X Alternate) (3:16)

3. Passport (Tune Y) (2:54)

4. Passport (Tune Z) (2:59)

Notes:

CHARLIE PARKER 49-05-08/09/14/15:

Date: 08, 09, 14 and 15 May 1949.

Place: Sale Pleyel, Paris, France

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker as and vocal on 1, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Live Recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Philology Vol. 10, CD W 200.2, for items 1-4; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 11, Philology CD W 622.2, items 5-15; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection Vol. 2, CD SSCD-8017-34 for items 10 - 13, & 15, Birdbox CD Vol. 2, for items 10 - 13, & 15.

1. Salt Peanuts (I) (3:40)

2. Barbados (Incomplete.) (4:48)

3. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (3:27)

4. Out of Nowhere (I) (5:07)

5. Salt Peanuts (II) (3:59)

6. Scrapple From the Apple (5:06)

7. Out of Nowhere (II) (Incomplete.) (4:13)

8. Wee (aka Allen’s Alley) (4:00)

9. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (3:26)

10. Out of Nowhere (III) with Country Gardens Tag (5:28)

11. A Night In Tunisia (4:17)

12. Moose the Mooche (4:24)

13. Hot House (5:38)

14. I Got Rhythm Tune (Incomplete.) (2:55)

15. Fifty-Second Street Theme (III) (4:41)

Notes: On Salt Peanuts Roach gives a frenzied drum solo; on item 2, at 0:16, and on item 4 at 4:33, Parker quotes Happy Birthday. On the Charlie Perfect Parker Complete Collection, and the Bird Box issue item 14 is misstitled Blues.

On May 10 the Quintet played in Marseilles; on the 11th they played at the Rex movie theatre, followed by a concert at the Martinez & Christera Club, both in Marseilles.

On the Charlie Perfect Parker Complete Collection, and the Bird Box issue item 14 is mistitled Blues.

Charlie Parker Session 49-05-12:

Date: 12 May 1949

Place: Colisee Movie Theatre, Roubaix, France

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Private Recordings on Acetate

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 11, Philology CD W622.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 2; CD Bird Box, Vol. 2.

1. Ornithology (4:24)

2. Out of Nowhere (Incomplete.) (3:44)

3. Cheryl (Incomplete.) (2:46)

CP Voice “That’s all . . .”

4. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (1:12)

5. Lover Man (4:24)

6. Groovin’ High (4:31)

7. Half Nelson (4:32) (inc.)

8. Fifty-Second Street Theme II (Incomplete.) (2:54)

Notes: Items 3 and 8 start near the completion of CP’s solo.

Charlie Parker Session 49-05-15:

Date: 15 May 1949

Place: Salle Pleyel, Paris, France

Musicians: Jam Session: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Hot Lips Page, Aime Barell, and Bill Coleman trumpet, Hubert Rostaing cl, Pierre Braslavsky & Sidney Bechet ss, Don Byas and James Moody tenor sax, Big Chief Russell Moore trb, Al Haig & Bernard Peiffer piano, Hazy Osterwald vibes, Toots Thielemans guitar, Tommy Potter bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Private Recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 12, Philology CD W 842.2.

1. Farewell Blues (Incomplete.) (3:52)

Notes: This evening Parker played two concerts at the Salle Pleyel, in the final concert, 8:45pm, there is a jam session when Farewell Blues was recorded, and that afterwards CP jammed at the Club St Germain, where he met Sartre, in a brief encounter. (This information is from Vail, 1996, p. 61.)

Charlie Parker Session 49-00-00:

Date: Summer 1949

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Jazz at the Philharmonic: Charlie Parker alto sax, Roy Eldridge trumpet, Coleman Hawkins tenor sax, Hank Jones piano, Eddie Sanfranski bass, Buddy Rich drums.

Recording: Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued Vol. 9, Philology CD, W 120.2 for item 1; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued Vol. 7, Philology CD W 57-2, for item 2; CD Philology give the second time listed here. Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Vol. 2, CD SSCD-8017-34, for item 2; Birdbox Vol. 2, for item 2.

Norman Granz announcement into

1. Lover Come Back to Me (actually Bean and the Boys) (1:45) (no solo)

2. Stuffy (7:20) (7:58)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-09-16:

Date: 18 September 1949

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Jazz at the Philharmonic: Roy Eldridge trumpet, Tommy Turk trombone, Lester Young and Flip Phillips tenor sax, Hank Jones piano, Ray Brown bass, Buddy Rich drums, Ella Fitzgerald vocals on 6 - 8.

Recording: Concert recording for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 3, Verve 837 141-2.

1. The Opener (12:47)

2. Lester Leaps In (12:14)

3. Embraceable You (10:33)

4. The Closer (10:57)

5. Ow (0:48) voice-over introducing Ella Fitzgerald

6. Flyin’ Home (5:31)

7. How High the Moon (6:24)

8. Perdido (8:34)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-10-01:

Date: 01 October 1949.

Place: Bluebird Inn, Detroit, Michigan.

Musicians: Phill Hill Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Tate Houston baritone sax, Phill Hill piano, James “Beans” Richardson bass, Art Madigan drums, Jack Tiant bongos.

Recording:

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Now’s the Time (Incomplete.) (?:??)

Notes: Charlie Parker first performed with the Jazz at the Philharmonic at the Masonic Auditorium in Detroit, after which he appeared as guest soloist with the Phill Hill Quintet. On Thursday, 6 October 1949, CP began a 6 week series of concerts at the Three Deuces in New York City, playing from 10:00pm to 4:00am; is it any surprise that drugs were a major stimulant? From the 17th to the 23 he was playing at Bop City, New York City. (Source: Discographical information Bregman, et al., pp. 41-2, background information Vail 1996, p. 67.)

(Not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 49-11-24 to 29:

Date: 24 – 29 November 1949

Place: Pershing Hotel Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Red Rodney trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private recordings of concert.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 2/3 Items 1-12 are on Philology CD W 12/15-2, for items 1 - 5, & 7 - 12; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 5/6, CD Philology W19/29-2; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 14, Philology W 844.2, for items 13-16.

1. Perdido (1:25)

2. Allen’s Alley (Wee) (5:36) and (6:09)

3. Hot House (5:01) and (6:19)

4. Cheryl (2:34) and (4:54)

5. I Can’t Get Started (2:01) and (6:27)

6. Groovin’ High (3:14) and (5:32)

7. I Cover the Waterfront (1:58) and (3:01)

8. Confirmation (2:58) and (5:49)

9. Now’s the Time (2:49) and (6:39)

10. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, into

11. Ruby My Dear (1:46) and (6:08)

12. Big Foot (1:29)

13. How High The Moon (3:07)

14. Cool Blues (3:14)

15. Stardust (0:56)

16. All the Things You Are (3:13)

Notes: There are two recording sources for items 1 - 11 this material; one provides longer takes; the longer one is, unfortunately of much poorer sound quality; the short has better sound quality but is limited to Parker’s solos. The session is also notable for being the first recording with both Red Rodney, and Roy Haynes.

This session is usually dated as late November 1949, this would then have between the dates above, as CP was in New York City, NY., at Bop City from Thursday 17 November until 23 November (before which he appeared at the Open door), and he recorded in New York City, NY., for Mercury on 30 November

Charlie Parker Session 49-11-00:

Date: Late November 1949

Place: Pershing Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Red Rodney trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 18, Philology CD W 848.2.

1. Stardust (2:14)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-11-00:

Date: Late November 1949

Place: New Savoy Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker sextet poss.: unknown tenor sax, Red Rodney trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 14, Philology CD W 844.2.

1. Billie’s Bounce (2:51)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-11-30:

Date: 30 November 1949

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Mitch Miller oboe, string section, Stan Freeman piano, Ray Brown bass, Buddy Rich drums, arranged and conducted by Jimmy Carroll.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 4, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Just Friends (3:30)

2. Everything Happens to Me (3:15)

3. April in Paris (3:06)

4. Summertime (2:46)

5. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was (3:12)

6. If I Should Lose You (2:46)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-12-24:

Date: 24 December 1949

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Red Rodney trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Voice of America Radio Broadcast.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 3; Jass CD CH555; CD Jass J-CD-16; Cool and Blue C & B-CD105.

Announcement by Symphony Sid (CP Voice) Into

1. Ornithology (4:15)

2. Cheryl (4:54)

3. KoKo (4:59)

4. All the Things You Are (6:03)

5. Now’s the Time (5:09)

Notes: On both Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34 and Jass CD CH555 item 4 is titled Bird of Paradise. While no recording of it has never been located, Parker announces Salt Peanuts near the end of Now’s the Time.

Charlie Parker Session 49-00-00:

Date: Maybe 1949

Place: Unknown

Musicians: Nat Cole trio?

Recording: No details

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 18, Philology CD W 848.2.

Announcement into

1. Ornithology (Incomplete.) (3:10)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 49-00-00:

Date: Maybe 1949

Place: Savoy Ballroom, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Unknown

Recording: Unknown

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Star Dust (?:??) (Unissued.)

2. All the Things You Are (?:??) (Unissued.)

3. Billie’s Bounce (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: The precise details of this session are uncertain.

(All not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 49/50-00-00:

Date: 1949 / 1950

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Sextet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Red Rodney trumpet, Jay Jay Johnson tb, Al Haig p,. Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 12, Philology CD W 842-2.

1. Billie’s Bounce (2:40)

2. Cool Blues (2:55)

3. April in Paris (1:54

4. Ornithology (2:02) abruptly into

5. Fifty-Second Street Theme (0:04)

6. Caravan (2:19)

7. Big Foot (4:44)

Notes: The date for this session comes from the Philology release, it needs further confirmation. According to Vail, 1996, p. 70) this configuration of the sextet played together briefly from February 02, 1950, at Birdland, from where there was a broadcast on Tuesday the 14th, which is listed below.

On items 1, 2 there are short breaks in the recording; a 3 second break from 1:50 on item 1; a 4 second one at 1:56 on item 2; a 3 second one at 0:48 and another of 4 seconds at 1:56, on item 6; and a short volume drop from 2:18 which almost becomes a break at 2:23 on item 7. Curiously item 3 simply ends at 1:54; is there a second section of this piece? On item 4, the Fifty Second Street theme is introduced by the trumpet at 2:02, then is picked up by CP at 2:04 ending at 2:06 when the compare announces: “A big hand for Charlie...”

Charlie Parker Session 50-02-14:

Date: 14 February 1950

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Sextet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Red Rodney trumpet, Jay Jay Johnson trombone except 2, 7, & 9, Al Haig p,. Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 5/6, Philology CD W 19/29-2; Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 3, for items 2, 7 - 15; CD Birdbox Vol. 4 for items 2, 7 - 15; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16, disc 1, items 2, 7 - 15; CD EPM FDC 5710.

1. Hot House (3:34)

2. Out of Nowhere (2:20)

3. Visa into

4. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (3:21)

5. Anthropology into

6. Wee (I) (aka Allen’s Alley) (4:22)

7. What’s New (2:27) (with Country Gardens tag)

8. Little Willie Leaps (3:06)

9. Yesterdays into

10. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (2:12)

Voice: “Does the Microphone work?”

11. Fifty-Second Street Theme (III) (1:06)

12. Dizzy Atmosphere (3:44)

13. Wahoo (aka Perdido) (4:16)

14. I Can’t Get Started (1:09)

15. Wee (II) (aka Allen’s Alley) (3:34)

16. Fifty-Second Street Theme (IV) (1:06)

17. Slow Boat to China (3:33)

18. Night in Tunisia (2:50) into

19. Fifty-Second Street Theme (V) (1:34)

Notes: This is an excellent session for both Charlie Parker, and Red Rodney. With the Charlie Parker, Perfect Complete Collection item 15 is titled as Allen’s Alley. On the Charly release items 10 & 11 are spliced together, time 3:15; item 13 is 4:20; item 14 1:28; item 15 is titled as Allen’s Alley 3:39.

Charlie Parker Session 50-02-18:

Date: 18 February 1950

Place: Saint Nicholas Arena, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Red Rodney trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private recording, recording by Don Lamphere

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird at St. Nick’s, Prestige OJCCD 141 CD, for items 1 - 15; LP and CD Jazz Workshop 500, for items 1-15; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 20, Philology CD W 850.2, for items 16 - 24.

1. Ornithology (3:26)

2. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was (2:34)

3. Embraceable You (2:16)

4. Scrapple From the Apple (4:38)

5. Hot House (3:45)

6. Now’s the Time (4:15)

7. Visa (2:57)

8. Star Eyes, into

9. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (brief tag) (3:05)

10. Confirmation (3:13)

11. Out of Nowhere (2:17)

12. I Cover the Waterfront (1:44)

13. What’s New (2:43)

14. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, into

15. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (4:46)

16. Fifty-Second Street Theme (III) (3:30)

17. Perdido (3:30)

18. I Can’t Get Started (1:19)

19. Fifty-Second Street Theme (IV) (2:59)

20. Anthropology (2:17)

21. Fifty-Second Street Theme (V) (0:34)

22. Groovin’ High (4:29)

23. Fifty-Second Street Theme (VI) (0:27)

24. Cheryl into

25. Fifty-Second Street Theme (VII) (2:55)

Notes: The Prestige/Original Jazz Classics issue of this is of atrocious sound quality, especially so given the size of the company.

Charlie Parker Session 50-03-00:

Date: ?? March 1950

Place: Showboat, Philadelphia.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Jimmy Knepper trombone, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording:

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Unknown titles

Notes The discographical booklet accompanying Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, CD SSCD-8017-34, gives this session, with the above information. This is the line-up for the Parker Quintet of February of this year, minus Red Rodney. One possibility is that it is the session identified by Philology as for the Diplomat Hotel, and that the Rodney omission is an error, but that is highly speculative, especially as the music is not available to draw a direct comparison. I have listed it here for research purposes, thinking that, possibly hoping, that someone can identify it.

Charlie Parker Session 50-03/04-00:

Date: March or April 1950

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Hank Jones piano, Ray Brown bass, Buddy Rich drums.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 4, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Star Eyes, (3:28)

2. Blues (Fast) (2:45)

3. I’m In the Mood For Love (2:50)

Notes During much of March the Quintet was touring with Jazz at the Philharmonic, during which Granz recorded Parker with the Jazz at the Philharmonic rhythm section. (Vail, 1996 p. 72).

Charlie Parker Session 50-04-03:

Date: 03 April 1950

Place: Nola’s Studio, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Gene Roland Orchestra: Marty Bell, Don Ferrara, Don Joseph, Jon Nielsom, Al Porcino, Sonny Rich, Red Rodney & Neil Friez trumpet, Joe Maini & Charlie Parker alto sax, Al Cohn, Don Lamphere, Tommy Mackagon, & Zoot Sims tenor sax, Bob Newman & Mart Flax baritone sax, Frank Orchard valve trombone, Eddie Bert, Porky Cophen, Jimmy Knepper & Paul Selden trombone, Don Manning, Harry Biss piano, Sam Herman guitar, Buddy Jones bass, Freddie Gruber drums, Gene Roland arranger/conductor.

Recording: Private recordings made at a rehearsal by Don Manning and Eddie Bert

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 15, Philology CD W 845.2; LP Spotlite SPJ141, items 1 - 10 only.

1. It’s a Wonderful World I (1:36)

2. It’s a Wonderful World (II) (0:48)

3. It’s a Wonderful World III (2:15)

4. It’s a Wonderful World IV (5:49)

5. It’s a Wonderful World V (0:31) (fragment of Bird solo)

6. Just You, Just Me (2:18)

7. Unknown Tune (0:17)

8. Stardust I (1:00)

9. Stardust (II) (0:57)

10. Stardust III (3:28)

11. Downhome Blues (2:50)

12. East Side, West Side (1:06) (A Pretty Girl . . .)

13. Limehouse Blues I (3:24)

14. Limehouse Blues (II) (“Hey fellas!”) (0:49)

15. Stardust IV (5:15)

Notes: This session became known as ‘The Band that Never Was’.

According to Vail, 1996, piano, 73, Parker spent much of this April and May playing with the Bud Powell trio at Birdland.

Charlie Parker Session 50-05-01:

Date: 01 May 1950

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Interview of Charlie Parker by Marshall Stearns and John Maher

Recording: Radio broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 4; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 7, Philology W 57-2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 4; CD Birdbox Vol. 4.

1. Interview (20:18)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-05-15/17:

Date: 15 or 17 May 1950.

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet; Charlie Parker as omit 6, Fats Navarro trumpet, Miles Davis t on item 10 only, Bud Powell piano, Curley Russell bass, Art Blakey drums, Chubby Newsome vocal on 16 only.

Recording: Private Recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, CD SSCD-8017-34, Discs 5 - 7; CD Birdbox Vols. 5-7; Charlie Parker, Bird at Birdland, Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16 items 1-5, disc 1, items 6 to 17 on disc 2; Charlie Parker Quintet, “Bird and Fats,” Cool & Blue CD C&B-CD103, items 1, 2, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 6, 7, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, in that order of presentation.

1. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (1:42) (last couple of seconds Bud plays a few chords.)

2. Wahoo (aka Perdido) (6:48) + applause (0:07)

3. ‘Round About Midnight (Incomplete.) (5:18)

applause (0:02)

4. This Time the Dream’s On Me (6:23) + applause (0:05)

applause (0:04)

5. Dizzy Atmosphere (7:08)

6. Night in Tunisia (5:36) + applause (0:02) straight into”

7. Move (6:27) applause (0:02) change in the tone straight into

8. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (Incomplete.) (0:29)

9. The Street Beat (9:25)

10. Conception/Deception (10:56)

11. Out of Nowhere (Incomplete.) (6:25)

11. Little Willie Leaps (5:35) into

12. Fifty-Second Street Theme (III) (0:20)

13. Ornithology (7:59) + applause, audience noise (0:11)

14. I’ll Remember April (8:03) + applause (0:04) into

15. Fifty-Second Street Theme (IV) (1:32) + applause (0:01)

16. Embraceable You (6:19)

17. Cool Blues (7:01) applause (0:02) into:

18. Fifty-Second Street Theme (V) (2:09) + applause (0:02)

Notes: Bregman et al., (1993 p. 46) date this as May 17, saying; “The May 17 date is assumed because the date appeared on the original tape box.” Vail, 1996, concurs with that, for items 1 - 4, & 7 - 8, & 9, stating that they were radio broadcasts from Birdland; but lists 52nd Street Theme, A Night in Tunisia, The Street Beat, and Out of Nowhere as broadcast from Birdland on May 18; Little Willie Leaps and 52 Street Theme as broadcast 20 May, and Ornithology, I’ll Remember April, 52nd Street Theme, and Embraceable you as broadcast on 21 May. He, however, gives nothing in support of these assertions. On some issues of the session the date June 30 (e.g., Charlie Parker, The Perfect Complete, and Bird Box), or later, is given, which is very unlikely, however, as Fats Navarro tragically prematurely died of TB on 7 July, 1950.

This fantastic session then, with Bud Powell and Charlie Parker both in excellent form, is the last recordings of Fats Navarro,. Charlie Parker is obviously spurred on by Navarro, indeed, a couple of times, noticeably on item 7 he spits out fiery notes, with absolutely no vibrato, that sound almost trumpet like.

On the Charlie Parker, Perfect Complete Collection it is written that the rhythm section on items 16-18 may be Walter Bishop piano, Tommy Potter bass, and Roy Haynes on d; although neither the piano or the drums sound like that to me. The Bregman et al., discography are in no doubt about this personnel listing for these items, but give ‘Little’ Jimmy Scott as the vocalist on 16, rather than Chubby Newman.

Every one of the above releases is marred by damage to the source disc for the first 33 seconds of the first item, thereafter they differ markedly.

For the Charly issue, CD DIG 16, the music has been processed using the CEDAR audio resurrection soft and there the sound is brighter, a little harder perhaps, and the tracks being marginally shorter than with the Charlie Parker Perfect Complete issue; item 1 (1:41); 2 (6:28); 3 incomplete cut short at (5:04); 4 preceded by (0:04) applause (6:09); 5 preceded by (0:01) applause (6:47) + applause (0:03); 6 (5:34) + applause (0:03); 7 (6:24) + applause (0:04), cut short where you would expect to find 52nd Street Theme coming in; item 8 is omitted; 9 (9:18) + applause (0:02) ; 11 cut short at (6:17); 12 (5:18) + applause (0:02); 13 is omitted; 14 (7:37) + applause & audience noise (0:14); 15 (7:45) despite being listed as 9:23 in the sleeve notes + applause (0:14); item 16 again omitted; 17 cut short (6:16); 18 (6:49) + applause (0:01); 19 preceded by applause (0:02) (2:04), this is cut short, + applause (0:04) behind which it sounds like Parker is going into a rendition or tag of This Time the Dreams on Me theme.

For the Cool & Blue C&B CD103; in the sequence that they appear on that CD with the above track list numbers: item 1 cut short (1:39); 2 (6:26); 3 item 3 & 4 omitted; 5 (6:44); 9 (9:21); 11 (6:18) cuts abruptly into; 12 (5:19); into 13 (0:21); 6 (5:32); 7 (6:22); 14 (7:34); 15 (1:28); 17 cut abruptly short at (6:18), straight into; 18 (6:36) after applause into; 19 (2:04) again it is possible to hear a snippet of Parker beginning a tag / another piece but the snippet is even briefer, too brief, in this CD to identify it.

(10:56) (11:02)

On Philology the tune Conception/Deception and the time above is from Philology, on Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16, Disc 1, (11.00) Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 5, where it is timed as 10:57. This tune features solos by Miles (excellent), Fats (doesn’t seem to know the tune), and Bishop. Bird is audible only briefly during the out chorus.

Charlie Parker Session 50-05-19/20:

Date: 19 or 20 May 1950

Place: Renaissance Ball Room, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Possibly- Machito’s Afro-Cuban Orchestra: Charlie Parker alto sax, Howard McGhee, Mario Bauza, Frank Davilla & Bob Woodlen trumpet, Gene Johnson & Fred Skerrit alto sax, Jose Madera & Frank Socolow tenor sax, Leslie Johnakins bar s, Rene Hernandes piano, Robert Rodriguez bass, Jose Manguel bongo, Luis Miranda conga, Ubaldo Nieto timbales, Machita maraccas.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 4; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 22, Philology CD W 852.2; Charly CD GIG 16. Disc 1; CD Birdbox Vol. 4

1. Reminiscing at Twighlight (?:??)

2. Mambo (5:05)

3. Lament for the Congo (5:44)

Notes: Bregman et al., (1993 p. 47) list this as by an unknown Afro-Cuban Band, possibly Machito’s, and possibly at the Renaissance Ballroom, Vail (1996 p. 77) is in no doubt who the band is and where this was recorded, dating it as 19 May, 1950. Vail is the source for item 1, The Charlie Parker Perfect Complete issue states that CP is not on item 1. Again, however, there is no supporting details of how he concluded thus for the location, date and musicians.. The Charly release gives as probably May 19 and 20 1950.

(Item 1 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 50-00-00:

Date: Spring/Summer 1950.

Place: Cafe Society, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private Recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 4, for items 1 – 13; CD Birdbox Vol. 4 for items 1 – 13; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 9, Philology W 120.2, for item 14 – 15; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 32, Philology W 862, for items 1 – 14 & 17 – 18.

1. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (short) into

Announcement by CP into

2. Just Friends (I) (4:04)

Announcement by CP into

3. April in Paris (I) (3:17)

4. Night in Tunisia into

5. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (short) (5:22)

6. Fifty-Second Street Theme (III) (short) into

Announcement by CP into

7. Just Friends (II) (4:00)

Announcement by CP into

8. April in Paris (II) (3:08)

9. Bewitched into

10. Summertime (4:34)

11. I Cover the Waterfront (feat. Kenny Dorham) into

12. Gone with the Wind (4:00)

13. Easy to Love into

14. Fifty-Second Street Theme (IV) (short) into

Brief Announcement (4:43)

15. What’s New (?:??) into

16. Its the Talk of the Town (6:52)

17. Moose the Mooche into

18. Fifty-Second Street Theme (V) (10:33)

Notes: This is one of Parker’s best sessions, with great musicians in support. Item 4 is a feature for Kenny Dorham. The order of tracks in the Philology of

Charlie Parker Session 50-00-00:

Date: Spring/Summer 1950

Place: Cafe Society, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet, with Tony Scott, and Brew Moore: Charlie Parker alto sax, Kenny Dorham trumpet, Tony Scott clarinet, Brew Moore tenor sax, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private Recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 5; CD Birdbox Vol. 5.

1. Moose the Mooche into

2. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (short) (10:33)

3. Lover Come Back to Me into

4. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (19:51)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-06-06:

Date: 06 June 1950

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Thelonious Monk piano, Curly Russell bass, Buddy Rich drums.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 4, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Bloomdido (Master Take.) (3:24)

2. An Oscar for Treadwell (3:20)

3. An Oscar for Treadwell (Master Take.) (3:22)

4. Mohawk (3:48)

5. Mohawk (Master Take.) (3:34)

6. My Melancholy Baby (3:16)

7. My Melancholy Baby (Coda Rehearsal take)(0:05)

8. My Melancholy Baby (Master Take.) (3:23)

9. Leap Frog (Incomplete.) (0:27)

10. Leap Frog (Incomplete.) (0:18)

11. Leap Frog (Incomplete.) (0:40)

12. Leap Frog (Incomplete.) (0:18)

13. Leap Frog (2:33)

14. Leap Frog (Incomplete.) (0:23)

15. Leap Frog (Incomplete.) (0:14)

16. Leap Frog (2:02)

17. Leap Frog (2:06)

18. Leap Frog (Incomplete.) (0:43)

19. Leap Frog (Master Take.) (2:29)

20. Relaxin’ With Lee (Incomplete.) (0:35)

21. Relaxin’ With Lee (Incomplete.) (1:08)

22. Relaxin’ With Lee (False Start.) (0:08)

23. Relaxin’ With Lee (3:56)

24. Relaxin’ With Lee (Incomplete.) (0:25)

25. Relaxin’ With Lee (Master Take.) (2:46)

Notes: This is an extremely interesting session, more so because of the involvement of Monk, this is only the second recording of Monk with Parker in existence, the first one being the snippet captured by Benedetti on one tune 11 July, 1948; here two major figures for the creation of Bebop are captured together in a recording session over a number of tunes. The results are mesmerising.

Charlie Parker Session 50-06-04/11/18/25:

Date: June 04, 11, 18, or 25, 1950.

Place: Joe Maini and Don Lamphere’s home, William Henry Apartments, 136 Street, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Sunday Afternoon/Jam Recording Session: Norm Carson, Jon Eardley trumpet, Jimmy Knepper trombone, Charlie Parker alto sax, Joe Maini alto sax, Bob Newman & Gers Yowell tenor sax, John Williams piano, Buddy Jones bass, Phil Brown, Frank Isola d on 2 & 5, 1, Buzzy Bridgeford d on 3.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 12, Philology CD W 842.2.

1. Little Willie Leaps (7:15)

2. All the Things You Are (6:49)

3. Bernie’s Tune (4:32)

4. Donna Lee (4:44)

5. Bird ad libbing with background chat, whistling, etc. (0:26) 0:30

6. Out of Nowhere (2:45)

7. Half Nelson (2:36)

8. Fine and Dandy (4:36)

Notes: At 2:46, a voice can be heard in the background. There are short breaks in some items: There are breaks of 3 seconds at 3:10 and at 5:28, on item 1; On item 2 there are 3 seconds at 4:08, (at 5:11 Parker quotes 4 seconds of the Popey theme), and 5:58, (at the end of which someone coughs, CP?); On item 3 during a piano introduction, compared to items 1 and 2, the sound quality deteriorates for the first 0:17, when it is obvious from the tweatering sound of accumulated cuttings that it is recorded on a disc cutting machine, then the volume and clarity picks up, until someone speaks at 0:56 and the alto solo comes in, when the volume increases again but with substantial distortion, followed by a 3 second break at 1:02, when the sound quality returns to that of items 1 and 2 (suggesting that there were two recording devices), a 2 second break at 2:47, another at 3:08, a 3 second break at 3:19 ( when the alto phrase sounds remarkably the same as that following the 3:08 break), another 3 second break at 3:30, and a 2 second break at 3:44 and 3:57. With item 4 the sound quality is back to the first two items, and with breaks at 2:51 of two seconds (at 2:50 the volume and prominence of the cymbal leapt up accompanied by distortion), and another at 2:26; With item 4 there is a 2 second interruption at 0:58, and another at 2:38; With 5 there are 2 second breaks at 0:17, and 2:16; On 6, 2 second intervals at 2:18

According to Vail, 1998 p. 72, Parker became involved in Sunday afternoon private recording sessions at the home of Joe Maini and Don Lamphere, these took place over June, with the above dates. This and the following session are agreed to have been recorded then on two separate occasions, but there is no certainty which dates they belong to; they are given here in this sequence as on the Philology release and listed in the Bregman et al, 1993, discography.

Charlie Parker Session 50-06-04/11/18/25:

Date: June 04, 11, 18, or 25, 1950.

Place: Joe Maini and Don Lamphere’s home, William Henry Apartments, 136 Street, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Sunday Afternoon/Jam Recording Session: Jon Neilson trumpet, Jimmy Knepper trombone, Charlie Parker & Jow Maini alto sax, Don Lanphere tenor sax, Al Haig piano, Frank Isola drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 12, Philology CD W 842.2.

1. Half Nelson (2:47)

2. Cherokee (2:09)

3. Scrapple from the Apple (6:09) some chat at the end.

4. Star Eyes (4:36)

Notes: This session is also known as the 136th Street Session. The sound quality is much more tinny, less rich than the preceding session, the drumming, the cymbals are much more prominent and the overall style sounds distinctly different also. There are 2 second breaks, 2:00 on 1; at 2:21, 3:45, on 3; and 3:41, and 3:52, on 4. On item 3 at 1:07 CP quotes a tune, briefly but I cannot remember the title.

Bird’s voice audible toward end of Item 3.

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-00-00:

Date: Summer 1950

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet with Bernie Leighton piano, Ray Brown bass, Buddy Rich drums.

Recording: Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 9, Philology CD W 120.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 7; Birdbox Vol. 7.

1. I Can’t Get Started (4:48)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-07-05:

Date: 05 July 1950

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Joseph Singer French horn, Edwin C. Brown oboe, Sam Caplan, Howard Kay, Harry Melnkopf, Sam Rand & Zelly Smirnoff violin, Isadore Zir viola, Maurice Brown cello, Verely Mills harp, Bernie Leighton piano, Ray Brown bass, Buddy Rich drums. Joe Lippman arranger/conductor.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 5, Verve 837 141-2. 5

Orchestra tuning up and voices into

1. Dancing in the Dark (3:19)

2. Out of Nowhere (3:06)

3. Laura (2:57)

4. Laura (Master Take.) (2:56)

5. East of the Sun (3:38)

6. They Can’t Take That Away From Me (3:17)

7. Easy to Love (3:29)

8. I’m in the Mood For Love (Master Take.) (3:33)

9. I’m in the Mood For Love (3:27)

10. I’ll Remember April (3:09)

11. I’ll Remember April (False Start.) (0:10)

12. I’ll Remember April (Master Take.) (3:02)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-07-14?:

Date: Summer (July 14?) 1950

Place: Either Birdland or possibly Apollo Theater, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker With Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, including oboe, cello, viola, harp, bass, drums.

Recording: Sounds like a broadcast, a TV broadcast?

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 10, Philology CD W 200.2.

Interview with Charlie Parker (1:02) into

1. Easy to Love (1:55)

Notes: I am inclined towards the Birdland, July 14th, option, on the basis of the following:

In the interview into this piece the presenter states that this is a very novel situation for CP, to be backed by a set of string, to which Parker agrees, stating that he had the pleasure of recording his strings concept for the first time 7 or 8 months before. since released on an album, but that they would play a different piece from those. This would have to be the session of 30 November, 1949, which if the date given in the Burton internet discography of the Summer or Fall of 1950 would have put this a minimum of 8, or more recently the modified late summer would place that a minimum of 9, months before. This hardly seems likely when there was a more recent strings session, recorded 05 July 1950, when the very tune that Parker played was recorded. My guess, is that this recording came from the time shortly after the 5th July date, the string arrangements sound precisely the same as on the Apollo theatre date, also the drummer sounds to me clearly like Roy Haynes, and it is obviously that this was recorded in a studio or big hall, from the applause and the fact that the presenter asked Parker to introduce the piece while he took the mike back to enhance the sound of the string section. Another interesting factor is that Parker played at Birdland with strings beginning 11 July 1950. Furthermore, another curiosity, is that the presenter clearly states that Parker had played there before, in a different set up (is the presenter Symphony Sid?). Could this have been Broadcast from Birdland? It is interesting that in the introduction of the first set the presenter alludes to the Birdland broadcasts, and states how it was remarked there on the Friday night broadcast that Parker had wished to play in front of strings.

Charlie Parker Session 50-08-23:

Date: 23 August 1950.

Place: Apollo Theater, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Tommy Mace oboe, Teddy Blume, Sam Caplan, & Stan Karpenia violin, Dave Uchitel viola, Bill Bundy cello, Wallace McManus harp, Billy Taylor piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums, Symphony Sid m.c.

Recording: Private recording by Al Porcino, Don Lamphere and Jimmy Knepper

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 10, Philology CD W 200.2.

First Show:

Introduction by Symphony Sid (0:41)

1. Repetition (2:34)

2. April In Paris (3:02) + applause (0:06) into;

3. Easy to Love (2:14)

4. What Is This Thing Called Love into

Announcement by Symphony Sid (3:05)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-08-23:

Date: 23 August 1950.

Place: Apollo Theater, New York City, NY.

Recording: Private recording by Al Porcino, Don Lamphere and Jimmy Knepper

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 10, Philology CD W 200.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 7.

Second Show:

5. Repetition (2:40)

6. April In Paris (3:13)

7. Easy to Love (2:15)

8. What Is This Thing Called Love into

Announcement by Symphony Sid (3:09)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-08-23:

Date: 23 August 1950.

Place: Apollo Theater, New York City, NY.

Recording: Private recording by Al Porcino, Don Lamphere and Jimmy Knepper

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 10, Philology CD W 200.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 7.

Third Show:

9. Repetition (2:36)

10. April In Paris (2:05)

11. Easy to Love (2:05)

12. What Is This Thing Called Love (2:10)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-08-23:

Date: 23 August 1950.

Place: Apollo Theater, New York City, NY.

Recording: Private recording by Al Porcino, Don Lamphere and Jimmy Knepper

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 10, Philology CD W 200.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 7, for item 3 only.

Fourth Show:

13. Repetition (2:36)

14. April In Paris (2:13)

15. Easy to Love (2:06)

16. What Is This Thing Called Love (2:05)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-08-23:

Date: 23 August 1950.

Place: Apollo Theater, New York City, NY.

Recording: Private recording by Al Porcino, Don Lamphere and Jimmy Knepper

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 10, Philology CD W 200.2.

Fifth Show:

17. Repetition (2:25)

18. April In Paris (2:10)

19. Easy to Love (2:02)

20. What Is This Thing Called Love (2:06)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-08-23:

Date: 23 August 1950.

Place: Apollo Theater, New York City, NY.

Recording: Private recording by Al Porcino, Don Lamphere and Jimmy Knepper

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 10, Philology CD W 200.2, for items 1, 2, & 4.

Sixth Show:

21. Repetition (2:26)

22. April In Paris (2:52) + applause (0:06)

23. Easy to Love (?:??)

24. What Is This Thing Called Love (2:35) into

Applause and announcement by Symphony Sid (0:08)

Notes: The tunes are listed here for these six sets are given in the order that they appear on Philology Vol. 10.

The first show is introduced by Symphony Sid, when he states: “I would like to remind you that I am a disc a, jokey. I am known, I’m known as the all night Friday boy where everything is as crazy on daisy. From midnight till 5:45 we play the sides of the records we hope you enjoy, directly from Birdland. And if you have listened to the programme you will probably have heard us talk about a young gentleman who has had an idea to blow in front of strings. Well the idea has finally come true and here for the first time on the Apollo stage, Mr Jazz himself, let’s give him a great big hand, Mr Charlie Yardbird Parker and strings.”

With the 6th show the sound quality, volume drops, and there is no performance of Easy to Love in the sixth step, although one is listed.

(Item 5 probably not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 50-08-23:

Date: 23 August 1950

Place: Apollo Theater, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan and Big Band: Charlie Parker alto sax, Stan Getz tenor sax, Billy Taylor piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums, the remainder is unknown.

Recording: Private recording by Don Lamphere and Jimmy Knepper.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 9, Philology CD W 120.2.

Announcement by Symphony Sid (0:35) into

1. I Cried For You (Incomplete.) (2:00)

Notes: This piece stops a few bars into Charlie Parker’s solo. While the band is largely uncertain, this was recorded during the same sets as the string sets above, Bregman et al., give the same band listing as for these, but curiously, given that he is credited in the announcements, and that this is the only recorded session where he and CP appeared together, they do not mention Stan Getz. It is very possible that it is the same backing band, given that members Don Lamphere and Jimmy Knepper were doing the taping.

Charlie Parker Session 50-08-28:

Date: 28 August 1950

Place: New Brunswick, New Jersey

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet plus trombone: Charlie Parker alto sax, Unknown trombone, possibly Jimmy Knepper or Earl Swope, Al Haig piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Stash ST CD-582; CD Stash ST CD-10.

1. Hot House/What Is This Thing Called Love? (3:50)

2. I May Be Wrong (3:02)

3. Parker’s Mood (3:23)

4. S’Wonderful (3:11)

5. Indiana (4:31)

Notes: A trumpet is audible on the out chorus, which is Donna Lee. The source for the musicians listed is Bregman, et al., 1993, p. 50.

Charlie Parker Session 50-09-00:

Date: Early September 1950

Place: Possibly Gjon Mili Studio, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins: Charlie Parker alto sax, Coleman Hawkins tenor sax on 1, Hank Jones piano, Ray Brown bass, Buddy Rich drums.

Recording: Film Soundtrack, videotape

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 5, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Celebrity (1:34)

2. Ballade (I Got It Bad, and That Ain’t Good) (2:55)

Notes: This film and soundtrack of Charlie Parker have now been released, before only excerpts were available, without sound, on the video, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker. The film was made because Norman Granz planned a documentary on Jazz at the Philharmonic, but that was never completed.

Charlie Parker Session 50-09-16:

Date: 16 September 1950.

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker With Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Tommy Mace oboe, Teddy Blume, Sam Kaplan, and Stan Karpenia violin, Dave Uchitel viola, Bill Al Haig piano,

Recording: Live Concert Recording, Issued by Verve

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 5, Verve 837 141-2.

1. What Is This Thing Called Love (2:54)

2. April In Paris (3:12)

3. Repetition (2:49)

4. Easy to Love (2:25)

5. Rocker (3:10)

Notes: The Bregman et al, 1993, discography gives September 17, 1950, as the date, for this concert, but Vail, 1996, p. 85, gives a copy of the Down Beat advertisement showing that the Jazz at the Philharmonic was at the National Guard Armory, in Washington on that date, stating that this was recorded the day before in New York.

Vail also indicates that Parker began a two week engagement at the Blue Note in Chicago from Friday, 22 September 1950, with string, lasting through to Thursday, 5 October..

Charlie Parker Session 50-10-23:

Date: 23 October 1950

Place: Pershing Hotel Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Von Freeman tenor sax, Unknown trombone, George Freeman guitar, Chris Anderson piano, Leroy Jackson bass, Bruz Freeman d,

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Stash CD STB 2500.

1. Pennies From Heaven (2:55)

Notes:

(Not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 50-10-23:

Date: First set, 23 October 1950.

Place: Pershing Hotel Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker with a local quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Earl Lavon Freeman tenor sax, George Freeman guitar, Bruz Freeman drums, Leroy Jackson bass, Chris Anderson piano, unknown vocalist on item 10.

Recording: Private recording by Donald Coy.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Vol. 8, CD SSCD-8017-34.

First set:

1. Indiana (5:57)

2. I Can’t Get Started with Country Gardens tag (2:49)

3. Anthropology (5:20)

4. Out of Nowhere (2:48)

5. Get Happy (5:36)

Notes: Here CP is playing with a local, pick-up band.

The Burton discography gave the following account of this session: :Edited to Bird solos. Inferior sound because the tape was recorded off of a dressing room speaker, and some items are marred by conversation.. I don’t think this is the same night as the following, more famous, session, but likely the same gig.”

Vail, 1996 p. 87, is more authoritative and quotes Donald Cail, who gives an account of arriving later than he planned for the concert which prevented him from getting to the front. He states that as there was no room for him to set up his recorder at the back, that there were already many tapes set up to record the music at the front so he went behind the stage where there was a speaker connected to the stage microphone, it was there he set =-up his recorder. He continued that unfortunately, later, someone came who insisted on staying and talking, which can be heard n the recording until he left at the beginning of item 11.

Charlie Parker Session 50-10-23:

Date: Second set, 23 October 1950.

Place: Pershing Hotel Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Recording: Private recording by Donald Coy.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Vol. 8, CD SSCD-8017-34; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 25, CD Philology WW 855.2; CD Birdbox Vol. 8.

Second set:

1. Hot House (5:06)

2. Embraceable You (2:01)

3. Body and Soul (2:16)

4. Cool Blues (3:15)

5. Stardust (0:57)

6. All the Things You Are (3:08)

7. Billie’s Bounce (3:13)

8. Pennies From Heaven (3:21)

Notes: See the notes above.

Charlie Parker Session 50-10-23:

Date: Final Set 23 October 1950

Place: Pershing Hotel Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Von Freeman tenor sax, George Freeman guitar, Chris Anderson piano, Leroy Jackson bass, Bruz Freeman drums.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, An Evening at Home with the Bird, Nippon Columbia SV-0154, items 1 - 4; Charlie Parker, An Evening at Home with the Bird, Savoy MG 12152, items 1 - 4; Charlie Parker, “One Night in Chicago.” LP Savoy SJL 1132.

1. There’s a Small Hotel (10:09)

2. These Foolish Things (2:06)

3. Keen and Peachy (4:53)

4. Hot House (9:00)

5. Swivel Hips Bird, Bass and Out (Rhythm tune) (3:34)

6. Goodbye (3:08) with voice-over

Notes: This set was first reissued in 1960 in edited form as “An Evening at Home with the Bird,” Savoy MG 12152, reissued with the same title on CD by Denon limited to items 1-4 with some rough editing and duplicating.

Here CP is playing with a local, pick-up band. Cook and Morton are rather unfairly dismissive of Anderson, which was his only appearance with Parker documented:

“Crumbs from the master’s table. It’s hard to grudge McLin and Anderson their 15 minutes of fame, but there’s not much more to this than a casual blow in a Chicago Dance hall (only ironically ‘at home’). Bird spins out a couple of effortless solos on ‘There’s a Small Hotel’ and ‘Hot House’, while McLin puffs in his wake. And that’s about it. Doubtlessly five sets of feet sets f feet didn’t touch the ground on the way home. Collectors only.”

I could not disagree with their assessment more, although would suggest that Savoy did a better job of issuing this material, despite the probable unprofessional origin of the recordings. Furthermore, Anderson is a much better, thoughtful piano player than the above remarks would allow for.

Charlie Parker Session 50-10-31:

Date: 31 October 1950

Place: Broadway Open House Television Show on Channel 5 in New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker and Studio Band: Charlie Parker alto sax, Milton DeLugg accordion on it 3, Ray Malone tap dancer on 2, Jerry and Buddy Lester presenters.

Recording: Private recording, television broadcast, Channel 5, New York City, NY.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 21, Philology WW 851.2.

CP can be heard speaking in the background, into

1. Anthropology (1:55)

Talk into

2. Donna Lee (1:40)

Talk into

3. Untitled Blues (2:05) (Buddy Lester vocalising about Bird).

Background talk into

4. Almost Like Being in Love (1:00)

Notes: This was a TV show of the comedian Jerry Lester.

Charlie Parker Session 50-11-20:

Date: 20 November 1950

Place: Koncerthuset, Stockholm, Sweden

Musicians: Charlie Parker and Swedish Musicians: Charlie Parker alto sax, Rolf Ericson trumpet, Yngve Akerberg piano, Gunnar Svennson bass, Jack Noren drums.

Recording: No known recording, so far.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Anthropology (?:??) (Unissued.)

2. Cool Blues (?:??) (Unissued.)

3. Cheers (?:??) (Unissued.)

4, Lover Man (?:??) (Unissued.)

5. Stupendous (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: Information for this session, and what happened after the concert, came from Vail 1996, p. 89, although he does not state that a recording exists, the listing of tunes played suggest that this may be possible. After the concert CP was taken to the Headquarters of Swedish Jazz Clubs, where there was a jam session in the cellar; are there any tapes of this in existence? The musicians for the basement jam were Charlie Parker alto sax, Lars Gullin bar sax, Simon Brehm bass, Rolf Larsson piano, Sven Bollhem drums.

(All not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 50-11-22:

Date: 22 November 1950

Place: Amialen Dance Hall, Malmo, Sweden

Musicians: Charlie Parker and His Swedish All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Rolf Ericson trumpet, Gosta Theselius piano, Thore Jederby bass, Jack Noren drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 8; CD Birdbox Vol. 8.

1. Anthropology (5:57)

2. Cheers (6:40)

3. Lover Man (1:50)

4. Cool Blues (4:19)

Notes: This is a great performance by Charlie Parker, and the local musicians heave themselves up to meet the demands of the concert. This and the 20 November concert are CP’s only performance of Cheers, after the Hi-De-Ho sessions in 1947. After this concert, according to Vail 1996 p. 90, there was a jam session in Lund, north of Malmo, at the Akademiska Forengen, and there was another concert on 23 November, in Copenhagen, where Benny Goodman joined in; are there any recordings of these sessions in existence?

Charlie Parker Session 50-11-24:

Date: 24 November 1950

Place: Folkets Park, Halsinborg, Sweden

Musicians: Charlie Parker and His Swedish All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Rolf Ericson trumpet, Gosta Theselius piano, Thore Jederby bass, Jack Noren drums.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 9; CD Birdbox Vol. 9.

1. Anthropology (5:38)

2. Scrapple From the Apple (6:29)

3. Embraceable You (2:41)

4. Cool Blues (5:04)

5. Star Eyes, (2:09)

6. All the Things You Are (5:01)

7. Strike Up the Band (4:39)

Notes: CP performed well in Sweden. This concert took place in a beer garden and dance pavilion at the park.

Charlie Parker Session 50-11-24:

Date: 24 November 1950

Place: Unknown Restaurant, Halsinborg, Sweden

Musicians: Charlie Parker Jam Session: Charlie Parker alto sax, Rolf Ericson & Rowland Greenberg trumpet, Gosta Theselius tenor sax, Lennart Nilsson piano, Folk Holst bass, Jack Noren drums.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Vol. 9, CD SSCD-8017-34; CD Birdbox Vol. 9.

1. How High the Moon/Ornithology (3:40)

2. Body and Soul (11:42)

3. Fine and Dandy (5:43)

Notes: This jam session was reported to have continued into the early hours of the morning; what were the circumstances of this recording being made, and was there any more material recorded?

Charlie Parker Session 50-11-28:

Date: 28 November 1950

Place: Studio Washington, Poste Parisien, Paris, France

Musicians: Charlie Parker with the Maurice Moufflard Orchestra: Charlie Parker alto sax, Roger Guerin, George Jouvin, Pierre Fassin & Yves Aluotte trumpet, Andre Paquinet, Maurice Gladieu, & Charles Huss tb, Robert Merchez, & Roger Simon alto sax, Jacques Tess, Marcel, & Pomes tenor sax, Honore Truc bar s, Roger Cambier piano, Henri Karen bass, Pierr Loteguy drums, Maurice Moufflard arranger & conductor.

Recording: Studio recording for radio broadcast.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 12, Philology CD W 842.2.

Announcement (0:11)into

1. Ladybird (2:30)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 50-12-00:

Date: ?? December 1950

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Red Rodney trumpet, Kenny Drew piano, Curley Russell bass, Art Blakey drums.

Recording: WJZ Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 9, Philology CD W W 120.2.

1. Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid (0:44) Bob Garrity announces the band and into

2. Anthropology (3:53) into

Brief announcement (0:04)

3. Embraceable You (4:42) into

4. Cheryl (4:02)

Symphony Sid announcement (0:02) into

5. Salt Peanuts (4:40 +03 CP into

6. Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid (0:08)

Notes: Anthropology is played extremely fast, like there is no thereafter, followed by a beautifully paced Embraceable You, which has a 0:05) Country Gardens tag included in the above time. The tape stops after 0:08 of Salt Peanuts, unfortunately, to say the least.

Charlie Parker Session 50-12-21:

Date: 21 December 1950

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Machito and His Orchestra: Charlie Parker 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6 only, Gene Johnson, & Fred Skerritt alto sax, Flip Phillips, Jose Madera, & Sol Rabinowitz tenor sax, Leslie Johanakins bar s, Mario Bauza, Frank ‘Paquito’ Davilla, Harry Edison, Al Stewart, & Bob Woodlen trumpet, Rene Hernandez piano, Roberto Rodriguez bass, Budddy Rich drums, Jose Manguel bongos, Rafael Miranda, & Chano Pozo conga, Umbaldo Nieto timbales, Machito maraccas, Chico O’Farrill arranger.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 5, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Cancion (?:??)

2. Mambo part 1 (?:??)

3. Mambo part 2 (?:??)

4. Rhumba Abierta (?:??)

5. 6/8 (?:??)

6. Jazz (?:??)

Notes: Charlie Parker and Flipp Phillips were guest soloists on this recording session.

Charlie Parker Session 50-00-00:

Date: Maybe around 1950

Place: Unknown,

Musicians: Charlie Parker alto sax, rest unknown

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Ornithology (?:??) (Unissued.)

2. Unknown Tune (I Got Rhythm?) (?:??) (Unissued.)

3. Medium Blues (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: The precise details of this session are unknown.

(All not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 51-01-17:

Date: 17 January 1951

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Miles Davis trumpet, Walter Bishop, Jr., piano, Teddy Kotick bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 6, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Au Privave (2:38)

2. Au Privave (Master Take.) (2:43)

3. She Rote (3:09)

4. She Rote (Master Take.) (3:06)

5. K.C. Blues (3:24)

6. Star Eyes, (3:34)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 51-03-12:

Date: 12 March 1951

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Jazzers: Charlie Parker alto sax, Walter Bishop, Jr., piano, Teddy Kotick bass, Roy Haynes drums, Luis Miranda conga, Jose Mangual bongos.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 6, Verve 837 141-2.

1. My Little Suede Shoes (3:03)

2. Un Poquito de tu Amor (2:40)

3. Tico Tico (2:44)

4. Fiesta (2:49)

5. Why Do I Love You (2:58)

6. Why Do I Love You (2:58)

7. Why Do I Love You (Master Take.) (3:05)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 51-03-22:

Date: March 22, 1951

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker With Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Unknown oboe, Unknown sting section, Walter Bishop piano, Teddy Kotick bass, Roy Haynes drums, Symphony Sid Torin presenter.

Recording: Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 17, Philology CD W 847.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 11, for items 2 & 3; LP Meexa Discox 1776, for items 2 & 3.

1. Easy to Love (1:25) + applause (0:10) into

2. Rocker (2:33) into

3. Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid (2:08) voice-over (0:12)

Announcement by Sid with piano in background (0:18)

Notes: This was the first of a three week engagement at Birdland for Charlie Parker and Strings, broadcast by the WJZ radio station. The Charlie Parker Perfect Complete issue lists Spring 1951 as the date for this.

Charlie Parker Session 51-03-24:

Date: 24 March 1951

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker With Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Unknown oboe, Unknown sting section, Walter Bishop piano, Teddy Kotick bass, Roy Haynes drums, Symphony Sid Torin presenter.

Recording: WJZ Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 10; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16, for 2 - 6, only; CD Birdbox Vol. 10.

1. Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid theme(:) with voice-over (:) into

Announcement by Symphony Sid (:)

2. Just Friends (4:29)

3. Everything Happens to Me (2:38)

4. East of the Sun (3:21)

5. Laura (2:58)

6. Dancing in the Dark into

7. Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid theme (:) voice-over) (4:16)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 51-03-31:

Date: 31 March 1951

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Bud Powell piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums, Symphony Sid Torin presenter.

Recording: WJZ radio Broadcast.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 10; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16, except for announcement; CD Birdbox Vol. 10; LP Saga 10, which has additional announcements.

Announcement by Symphony Sid

1. Blue ‘n’ Boogie (7:19)

Announcement by Symphony Sid

2. Anthropology (5:07)

3. ‘Round About Midnight (3:20)

Announcement by Symphony Sid (CP heard shouting “Tunisia”)

4. Night in Tunisia into

5. Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid (voice-over) (5:20)

Notes: This is an excellent session, bringing Charlie Parker together again with Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell.

Charlie Parker Session 51-04-07:

Date: 07 April 1951

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker With Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Unknown oboe, Unknown sting section, Walter Bishop piano, Teddy Kotick bass, Roy Haynes drums, Symphony Sid Torin presenter.

Recording: WJZ radio broadcast.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 10; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16; CD Birdbox Vol. 10.

1. What Is This Thing Called Love? (2:02)

2. Laura (3:31)

3. Repetition (2:43)

Conversation between Bird and Sid (3:04)

4. They Can’t Take That Away From Me (3:07)

5. Easy To Love (2:15)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 51-04-12:

Date: 12 April 1951

Place: Christy’s Restaurant, Framingham, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Jamming with Wardell Gray: Charlie Parker alto sax, Wardell Grey ts on 1- 3, Unknown (perhaps Benny Harris or Joe Gordon) trumpet on 3, Nat Pierce piano, Walter Bishop piano on 1, & Dick Twardzick piano on 3, Teddy Kotick bass on 1 – 3, Charles Mingus b on 4, Roy Haynes drums on 1 – 3; Max Roach drums on 4.

Recording: Private recording or Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 11, times from there; Birdbox CD Vol. 11; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 33, Philology CD W 864.

1. Scrapple From the Apple (15:16)

2. Lullaby in Rhythm (12:28)

3. Happy Bird Blues (2:49)

4. I Remember April (10:24)

Notes: First issued by Charlie Parker Records as ‘The Happy Bird,’ where Lullaby is incorrectly listed as I May Be Wrong. With the Philology release of this session the track sequence is, and provisional timings are: 1. Happy Bird Blues (3:01); 2. Scrapple From The Apple (15:48); 3. I'll Remember April (10:54); 4. Lullaby In Rhythm (13:01)

Charlie Parker Session 51-04-00:

Date: ?? April 1951

Place: Christy’s Restaurant, Framingham, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Benny Harris trumpet, Al Haig piano, Teddy Kotick bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private Tape

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 8, Philology CD W 80.2, for items 2-7 only; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 16, Philology CD W 846.2, for items 1, 8, & 9); CD EPM FDC 5711.

1. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (3:54) + brief CP announcement at 1:51 - 1:55

2. Perdido (3:54)

3. Out of Nowhere (3:22) into Country Gardens Tag) (0:07) into

4. Ornithology (3:44) into

5. Ladybird (3:20) into

6. Little Willie Leaps (2:56) into

7. Star Eyes (3:39) (Incomplete.)

8. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (2:43) + applause (0:07) into

9. I Can’t Get Started (0:43)

10. The Way You Look Tonight (?:??) (Unissued.)

11. Fifty-Second Street Theme (III) (?:??) (Unissued.)

12. Noodling (?:??) (Unissued.)

13. Groovin’ High (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: Bregman et al, 1993, suggest 21 April as the date for this session, however Vail, 1996 p. 100, places CP at Uline’s Arena in Washington DC., at this date, providing a copy of a newspaper cutting of a review of Parker and Johnny Hodges playing opposite each other there on this date.

(Items 10 - 13 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 51-00-00:

Date: Spring 1951.

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Billy Taylor piano, Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: VOA radio broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 11; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16, with announcements?; CD Birdbox Vol. 11, without announcements.

Announcement by Leonard Feather & CP Voice (:)

1. How High the Moon/Ornithology (5:22)

2. Hot House (3:40)

3. Embraceable You (3:40)

Announcement by Leonard Feather

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 51-00-00:

Date: Spring 1951

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Interviewed by Leonard Feather

Recording: VOA Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 9, Philology CD W 120.2.

Interview with Leonard Feather (5:57)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 51-06-23:

Date: 23 June 1951

Place: Eastern Parkway Ballroom, Brooklyn, New York.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, unknown trumpet, Al Haig piano, Teddy Kotick drums, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 16, Philology CD W 846.2, for items 1, 5, 13 - 15 and 17; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 1/4, Philology CD W 5/18-2, for items 2 - 4, 6 - 10 and 12; CD EPM FDC 5711, for items 2 - 4, 6 - 10, 12 and 16; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 7, Philology CD W 57-2, for items 11& 16.

1. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (2:02)

2. Ornithology (3:46)

3. Embraceable You (2:48)

4. Steeplechase (aka Merry-Go-Round) (5:00)

5. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (0:38)

6. Now’s the Time (3:53)

7. Be My Love (2:45) into

8. April in Paris (1:04) into

9. Dance of the Infidels into

10. Fifty-Second Street Theme (III) (3:15)

11. Wee (4:14)

12. This Time the Dreams on Me (4:33)

13. Don’t Blame Me (3:01)

14. A Night in Tunisia (3:34)

15. All the Things You Are (4:19)

16. Cool Blues (3:02)

17. Fifty-Second Street Theme IV (0:39)

Notes: The sound quality is obviously of a large, echoing, ballroom. According to Bregman et al., 1993, there is said to be another hour of this music in existence.

Charlie Parker Session 51-06-25 to 51-07-01:

Date: 25 June – 01 July 1951

Place: Veterans Administration Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Sextet: Charlie Parker alto sax, and possibly Red Rodney or Benny Harris trumpet, Wardell Gray tenor sax, Walter Bishop piano, Teddy Kotick bass, Roy Haynes drums, Sarah Vaughan vocal on 3.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 5/6 Philology CD W 19/29-2, for items 1 - 5; EPM FDC 5711, for items 2, 4 and 5.

1. Cool Blues (Incomplete.) (3:36)

2. Out of Nowhere (Incomplete.) (1:43) applause over end

3. This Is Always (3:20)

4. Now’s the Time (2:33)

5. Scrapple From the Apple (Incomplete.) (1:56)

6. Thriving on a Riff (?:??) (Unissued.)

7. Blue n’ Boogie (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: The beginning of item 1 is omitted, and from 1:40 the sound levels suddenly dip with the trumpet solo, returning at 2:17. Item 3 sounds like it is being recorded in the toilet, with Sara Vaughan’s vocals somewhere in an echoi distance and Parker’s legato, equally echoi, sounding at first like it was dubbed on top. Item 5 ends abruptly in the trumpet solo.

Vail, 1996 p 102, reproduces two receipts dated June 25 and 26, respectively, signed by Charlie Parker for an engagement at Club 421 in Philadelphia, concluding that he probably played for a week there, beginning Monday 25 June, this would suggest that the above, before that he was playing in Birdland until 20 June, and Eastern Parkway Ballroom in Brooklyn, New York, the session above.

(Items 6 – 7 not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 51-07-22:

Date: 22 July 1951

Place: Municipal Arena, Kansas City

Musicians: Woody Herman Orchestra: Woody Herman clarinet, alto sax, Charlie Parker alto sax, Dick Hafer, Bill Perkins, and Kenny Pinson tenor sax, Sam Staff baritone sax, Roy Caton, Don Fagerquist and Doug Macombe, trumpet, Jerry Dorn, Urbie Green and Fred Lewis trombone, Dave McKenna piano, Red Wooten bass, Sonny Igoe drums.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 27, Philology CD W 858 for all items, time for item 11 from there; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 23, Philology CD W 854.2, items 1 – 10, times for these taken from there; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34, Vol. 12, for items 1-9; Birdbox Vol. 12 for items 1 – 9.

1. How High the Moon (I) (aka More Moon) (3:35)

2. You Go To My Head (3:02)

3. Leo the Lion I (3:01)

4. Cuban Holiday (3:00)

5. The Nearness of You (3:28)

6. Lemon Drop (3:37)

7. The Goof and I (3:37)

8. Laura (2:51)

9. Four Brothers (3:44)

10. Leo the Lion (II) (3:04)

11. How High the Moon (II) (3:35)

Notes: On Bird’s Eyes Volume 23 item 1 is listed as More Moon, the title is corrected to How High the Moon with the Philology Volume 27, as it is listed in the Charlie Parker Perfect Complete Collection issue. How High the Moon definitely provides the underlying chord structure for this piece, but it is so modified that it could rightly be considered a contrafact than a rendition of that piece. The times of all items with volume 27 are: 1. How High The Moon (I) (aka More Moon) (3:00); 2. You Go To My Head (3:02); 3. Leo The Lion (I) ((3:00); 4. Cuban Holiday (3:00); 5. The Nearness Of You (3:28); 6. Lemon Drop (3:27); 7. The Goof And I (3:26); 8. Laura (2:51); 9. Four Brothers (3:43); 10. Leo The Lion (II) (3:04); 11. How High The Moon (II) (Never issued Before) (3:00), in the order of their presentation on the CD.

Charlie Parker Session 51-08-00:

Date: ?? August 1951

Place: Lenny Tristano’s House, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker alto sax, Lenny Tristano piano, Kenny Clark brushes on telephone book.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued,’ Vol. 1/4 Philology CD W 5/18-2; Charlie Parker 'More Unissued' Vol , Royal Jazz RJD 505.

1. All of Me (3:17)

2. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (4:23)

Notes: This is an extremely interesting set. It is believed that these items originated from Chan Parker’s collection, and that these may not be the only ones she has.

Information for the Royal Jazz issue kindly supplied by Richard Legault.

Charlie Parker Session 51-08-08:

Date: 08 August 1951

Place: Possibly RCA, 24th Street Studios, New York City, NY..

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Red Rodney trumpet, John Lewis piano, Ray Brown bass, Kenny Clarke drums.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 6, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Blues for Alice (2:46)

2. Si Si (2:38)

3. Swedish Schnapps (3:13)

4. Swedish Schnapps (Master Take.) (3:10)

5. Back Home Blues (2:35)

6. Back Home Blues (Master Take.) (2:46)

7. where Charlie Parker (3:21)

Notes: On the Verve disc the group is described as ‘Charlie Parker and His Orchestra,’ where on most discographies it is listed as above. This is the only studio date with Red Rodney. Item 1 is marvelous. This is also the first studio recording played Lover Man, in a relatively restrained manner. It was the fourth recorded version of it that exists since that date, indicating that Charlie Parker was not averse to playing Lover Man in a live situation.

Despite CP having played numerous live dates in the interim, there is a large lacunae here; there are no live recordings in existence for the next four months.

Charlie Parker Session 52-01-23:

Date: 23 January 1952.

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker and His Orchestra: Charlie Parker alto sax, Al Porcino, Chris Griffin, & Bernie Privin trumpet, Will Bradley, & Bill Harris tb, Murray Williams, & Toots Mondello alto sax, Hank Ross, & Artie Drelinger tenor sax, Stan Webb baritone sax, unknown oboe, Unknown flute, probably Sam Caplan violin, concert master, possible Sylvan Shulman, Jack Zayde violin, 5 unknown violin, 2 unknown viola, 2 unknown cello, Verley Mills harp, Lou Stein piano, Art Reyson guitar, Bob Haggart bass, Don Lamond drums, Joe Lipmsan, arranger and conductor.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 7, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Temptation (3:31)

2. Lover (3:06)

3. Autumn in New York (3:29)

4. Stella by Starlight (2:56)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 52-01-28:

Date: 28 January 1952

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker South of the Border Band: Charlie Parker alto sax, Benny Harris trumpet, Walter Bishop, Jr., piano, Teddy Kotick bass, Max Roach drums, Jose Mangual bongos, Luis Miranda congas.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 7, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Mama Inez (2:50)

2. La Cucaracha (3:24)

3. La Cucaracha (Incomplete.) (0:49)

4. La Cucaracha (False Start.) (0:10)

5. La Cucaracha (Master Take.) (2:43)

6. Estrellita (Incomplete.) (1:57)

7. Estrellita (2:46)

8. Estrellita (False Start.) (0:04)

9. Estrellita (Master Take.) (2:44)

10. Begin the Beguine (3:12)

11. La Paloma (2:39)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 52-02-24:

Date: 24 February 1952

Place: Dumont TV Network, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Dick Hyman piano, Jack Lesberg bass, Charlie Smith drums.

Recording: TV Broadcast on Channel 5, New York.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 9, Philology CD W 120.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 12; XII. Charlie Parker, Bird: Rarities from Private collections. 1950 - 53, Rarities Suisa ; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 21 Philology CD W 851.2; Videotape Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker.

Announcement by Earl Wilson, Leonard Feather and Charlie Parker (1:00) into

1. Hot House (3:30) + applause (0:03)

Notes: This is where Charlie Parker receives the Downbeat award best alto saxophone player for 1951, and Dizzy Gillespie is given the award for the best trumpet players of all time, and when asked to comment CP states that he would rather the music spoke, as music speaks louder than words.

Charlie Parker Session 52-03-25:

Date: 25 March 1952

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Big Band: Charlie Parker alto sax, Jimmy Maxwell, Carl Poole, Al Porcino, & Bernie Priven trumpet, Bill Harris, Lou McGarity, & Bart Varsalona trb, Harry Terrill, Murray, & Williams alto sax, Flip Phillips, & Hank Ross tenor sax, Danny Banks bar s, Oscar Peterson piano, Freddie Green guitar, Ray Brown bass, Dan Lomand drums, Joe Lippman arranger & conductor.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 7, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Night and Day (2:50)

2. Almost Like Being In Love (2:33)

3. I Can’t Get Started (3:08)

4. What Is This Thing Called Love? (2:36)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 52-03-25:

Date: Evening, 25 March 1952

Place: Loew’s Valencia Theater, Jamaica, New York

Musicians: Jerry Jerome Jazz Concert: Charlie Parker alto sax, Buddy DeFranco c, Bill Harris tb, Dick Cary piano, Eddie Safranski bass, Don Lamond drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 8, Philology CD W 80.2.

1. Ornithology (8:17) + applause (0:03)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 52-02-25:

Date: Probably 25 March 1952.

Place: Loew’s King Theater, Brooklyn, New York

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Teddy Wilson piano, Eddie Safranski bass, Don Lamond drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues: Queen-disc 002 (LP, Italy) there the date and place is said to be 1949, Brooklin (sic), New York.

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 8, CD Philology Vol. 8 W 80.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 12.

1. Cool Blues (4:22)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 52-06-05:

Date: 05 June 1952.

Place: Loew’s King Theater, Brooklyn, New York

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Teddy Wilson piano, Eddie Safranski bass, Don Lamond drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 8, Philology CD W 80.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 12.

1. Cool Blues (4:16)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 52-06-05:

Date: 05 June 1952

Place: Hollywood, California

Musicians: JATP type Recording Session: Charlie Parker, Benny Carter, & Johnny Hodges alto sax, Ben Webster, & Flip Phillips tenor sax, Charlie Chavers trumpet, Oscar Peterson piano, Barney Kessel guitar, Ray Brown bass, J. C. Heard drums.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve,’ Disc 8, Verve 837 141-2.

1. Jam Blues (14:42)

2. What Is This Thing Called Love (15:51)

3. Dearly Beloved (?:??)

4. Funky Blues (13:27)

Notes: The date of the 5th is from Vail 1996, p. 110.

Charlie Parker Session 52-06-16:

Date: 16 June 1952

Place: Trade Winds Club, Inglewood, California

Musicians: Harry Babasin All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Sonny Criss alto sax, Chet Baker trumpet, Al Haig p except 3, Russ Freeman p item 3 only, Harry Babasin bass, Lawrence Marable drums.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 12 - 13. Item 2 is listed as They Didn’t Believe Me; CD Birdbox Vols. 12 -13; Inglewood Jam, Bird and Chet Live at the Trade Winds, Fresh Sounds FSR-CD 17.

1. The Squirrel (15:00)

2. Irresistible You (aka They Didn’t Believe Me) (6:21)

3. Indiana (Donna Lee) (11:25)

4. Liza (10:13)

Notes: This is the only recording of CP with Sonny Criss, and one of the earliest of Chet Baker, before he took to attempting to sing.

Charlie Parker Session 52-07-08:

Date: 08 July 1952

Place: Jirahr Zorthian’s ranch at the end of Fair Oaks Avenue in Altadena, California.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Jam Session: Charlie Parker, & Frank Morgan alto sax, Don Wilkerson tenor sax, Chet Baker t on item 10, Amos Trice piano, Dave Bailey bass, Larance Marable drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Scrapple from the Apple (?:??) (Unissued.)

2. Au Privave/Dance of the Infidels (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes:

(All not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 52-07-14:

Date: 14 July 1952.

Place: Jirahr Zorthian’s ranch at the end of Fair Oaks Avenue, Altadena, California.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Jam Session: Charlie Parker, & Frank Morgan alto sax, Don Wilkerson tenor sax, Amos Trice piano, Dave Bailey bass, Larance Marable drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 8, CD Philology 80.2, items 3 and 4 only; Charlie Parker 'More Unissued' Vol. 1, Royal Jazz RJD 505, items 3 and 4 only; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 33, Philology CD W 864 for all items.

1. Night in Tunisia (7:55)

2. How High The Moon/Ornithology (4:32)

3. Embraceable You (2:51)

4. Hot House (3:46)

Notes: The Philology issue places these items as spring 1952, at Julie McDonald’s place in Hollywood California, with Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Teddy Edwards tenor sax, Unknown piano, Unknown bass, Roy Haynes drums except item 3, and Lawrence Marable drums, item 4. In the background of item 3 voices can be heard shouting, take it off, and cheering, clapping, and laughing, as at a striptease.

Curiously, Hot House on the Philology Volume 33 issue is given as a time of 10:39.

Information for the Royal Jazz issue kindly supplied by Richard Legault.

Charlie Parker Session 52-07-28:

Date: 28 July 1952.

Place: Jirahr Zorthian’s ranch at the end of Fair Oaks Avenue, Altadena, California.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Jam Session: Charlie Parker, & Frank Morgan alto sax, Don Wilkerson tenor sax, Chet Baker trumpet on item 4, Amos Trice piano, Dave Bailey bass, Lawrence Marable drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 33, Philology CD W 864 for all items.

1. Cool Blues into,

2. Cool Blues (13:00) (Unissued.)

3. Dixie/Yankee Doodle into I Got Rhythm contrafact (4:26)

4. Scrapple from the Apple (13:51) (Unissued.)

Notes: .

Charlie Parker Session 52-09-20:

Date: 20 September 1952

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Duke Jordan piano, Charles Mingus bass, Phil Brown drums.

Recording: Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 9, Philology CD W 120.2; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16 Disc 4; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 13; Birdbox Vol. 13.

Announcement into

1. Ornithology (5:52) into

2. Fifty-Second Street Theme (with announcement) (4:54)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 52-09-26:

Date: 26 September 1952

Place: Rockland Palace, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet with Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Walter Bishop piano, Mundell Lowe gtr except 13 & 14, Teddy Kotick bass, Max Roach drums, Unknown oboe, Unknown Strings section on items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 30, & 31.

Recording: Private tape, recorded by Chan Parker, and others.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker with his Quintet and Strings, The Complete Legendary Rockland Palace Concert September 26, 1952, Jazz Classics Records, CD-JCL-5014, times taken from there; on Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 13 - 14, for items 10, 13 & 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, & 31; Birdbox Vols. 13-14, CD JUTB 3013 & JUTB 3014, for items 10, 13 & 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, & 31; Private Tape items 1 - 27.

1. East of the Sun (I) (3:31)

2. What Is This Thing Called Love (I) (2:24)

3. Stardust (4:07)

4. Ornithology (3:09)

5. Easy to Love (I) (1:53)

6. Just Friends (I) (Incomplete.) (2:33)

7. Dancing in the Dark (3:44)

8. Gold Rush (aka, Rock Salt, Turnstile) (4:17)

9. Don’t Blame Me (2:30) + Country Gardens tag (0:10)

10. April in Paris (3:09)

11. Repetition (I) (2:51)

12. Everything Happens To Me (Incomplete.) (2:08)

13. Sly Mongoose (3:42)

14. Sly Mongoose (II) (Incomplete.) (1:46)

15. Rocker (I) (4:27) (Background chat, whistling of tune)

16. Laura (3:25)

17. Lester Leaps In (4:25) + applause (0:05) + short pause (0:02) Parker noodling (0:26)

18. Out of Nowhere (s) (3:04)

19. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was (2:54)

20. I’ll Remember April (2:26) straight into CP Noodling Between Tunes (0:12)

21. Cool Blues (3:28)

22. East of the Sun (II) (3:21)

23. Just Friends (II) (3:20)

24. My Little Suede Shoes (5:16)

25. What Is This Thing Called Love (II) (s) (2:20) (CP quotes This time the Dream’s on Me in his solo)

26. Repetition (II) (2:57)

27. This Time the Dream’s On Me (7:17)

28. Moose the Mooche (I) (4:05)

29. Star Eyes (Incomplete.) (2:07)

30. Rocker (II) (Incomplete.) (5:39)

31. Easy to Love (II) (2:04)

32. Moose the Mooche (II) (?:??) (Unissued.)

33. Fifty Second Street Theme (II) (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: This, a benefit concert held for arrested leaders of the Communist Party, is one of these rather confusing sessions, that were partly released in the past, but none too transparently in discographical terms. Chan Parker recorded this on a tape recorder that CP gave her as a birthday present, and that is, I presume, the principle source of the recordings, but there is also at least one other recording source for some, if not all, of the items listed here, issued and unissued. Indeed, for item 17, Jazz Classics have synthesised two recording sources to create a pseudo-stereo version, and for other items they spliced parts together according to what they thought had the best sound (I am suspicious though that some of these have actually mixed different takes together, but that needs much closer listening to confirm). It is uncertain if any of the issued recordings came from Chan Parker’s tape, although those released on Parker Records could have. There is another issue, by Collector Connoisseur which states that it is issued with permission of the CP estate, which needs to be investigated

Jazz Classics have provided the fullest, if not flawless, issue to date; this is a two CD issue, which contains more errors than first appears. The most obvious is that the listing for the tracks on the second disc is completely out of sequence; the listing above from 18 - 33 is how these items are found on the disc, at least in terms of the title order (more will be said about this); the actual listing on the liner notes is: 1. Out of Nowhere; 2. I Didn’t Know What Time it Was; 3. Cool Blues; 4. Star Eyes; 5. I’ll Remember April; 6. My Little Suede Shoes; 7. Repetition (II); 8. East of the Sun (II); 9. What is this thing Called Love (II); 10. Moose the Mooche; 11. Just Friends (II); 12. Easy to Love (II); 13. This Time the Dream’s on Me; 14. Rocker (II). There is the possibility that some of the items marked above as the second rendition of a tune may in actual fact be the first, and vice versa. Also, items 4, and 24, are marked as with strings (perhaps because 4 has a very strong hall echo at points creating an illusion of strings, but no strings can be heard; items 8 and 21a, and Rocker (II) end with a fade out, rendering them incomplete.

Some of these items were released on Charlie Parker Records, CP (2) 502, and Charlie Parker Records PLP401, and CP 513, the latter two are listed as the source for the items released on Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, and, presumably, the Birdbox CD issue, on the first of these the items appear in the following sequence and they time thus:

1. Rocker (4:13, fading out); 2. Moose the Mooche (5:15); 3. Just Friends (3:16); 4. My Little Suede Shoes (4:29) / I’ll Remember April (theme) (1:28) (the listed total time is 5:51, the actual is 5:57,); 5. Sly Mongoose; 6. Laura (3:12); 7. Star Eyes (Incomplete.) (2:29 fades out) ; 8. This Time the Dream’s on Me (6:51); 9. Easy to Love (1:59); 10. Cool Blues (3:31); What is this thing Called Love? (2:13); 11. Repetition (2:50); 12. Lester Leaps In (4:03); 13. East of the Sun (3:23); 14. April in Paris (3:01); 15. Out of Nowhere (2:58); and 16. Rocker (5:39).

The Bird Box issue lists My Little Suede Shoes (4:29) as running continuously into I’ll Remember April (theme) (1:28) a total listed time of 5:51, actual of 5:57, where on Jazz Classics it has a listed time of 5:31, an actual of 5:16, and in the Burton discography it is listed as incomplete; neither seems incomplete in any sense! thus it seems safe to conclude that this is the complete issue.

The mostly recent Parker net discography states, somewhat inaccurately, that the following, Strings Theme (s) (with no Bird on it ) Bird Warming Up, Bird Noodling Between Tunes, are on the Birdbox disc by are not on the Jazz Classics release. In listening to both and my timings of the tracks shows that the Strings Theme is indeed on CCPC, but not on Jazz Classics, but if this is the same item, then CP can clearly be heard on it. The other two are on the Jazz Classics issue but not on the Birdbox one, not on the Soundhills reissue of it, which seems to have been an accurate replication of the original, by comparing it with the Bregman et al, discography.

Charlie Parker Session 52-10-17:

Date: 17 October 1952

Place: Howard Theatre, Washington, D.C.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Tentet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Zoot Sims tenor sax items 3 & 5, Charlie Walp trumpet on items 3 & 5, Earl Swope & Rob Swope trombone on items 3 & 5, Charlie Byrd guitar, Bill Shanahan piano, Merton Oliver bass, Don Lamond drums, Unknown bongos.

Recording: Private recording for broadcast, show; Jazz at Midnight.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 32, Philology W 863, for all items Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 14, for items 1 - 4, Birdbox Vol. 14, CD JUTB 3014, for items 1-4; LP VGM 0009 for items 1 - 5; Charlie Parker ‘More Unissued’ Volume 1, Royal Jazz CD 505, for item 6.

1. Scrapple From the Apple (5:38)

2. Out of Nowhere (4:13) into

3. Now’s the Time into

4. Fifty-Second Street Theme (8:26)

5. Cool Blues (I) (4:28)

6. Cool Blues (II) (Incomplete.) (4:15) + Applause (0:02)

Notes: The Bregman et al, 1993, discography places a question mark beside both Charlie Walp’s and Bill Shanahan’s names, suggesting there is an element of doubt concerning their involvement; on the other hand Vail, 1996, expresses no doubt that they are present.

A copy of the Royal Jazz CD was kindly supplied by Claude

Charlie Parker Session 52-11-01:

Date: 01 November 1952

Place: Birdland, New York

Musicians: Charlie Parker With the Milt Jackson Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Milt Jackson vibraphone, John Lewis piano, Percy Heath drums, Kenny Clarke drums, Bob Garretty m.c.

Recording: Radio broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 14; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16 Disc 4; CD Birdbox Vol. 14, JUTB 3014; Trans-Ark 1001 for items 1 - 2; Klacto MG 101.

1. How High the Moon (5:17) + applause (0:06) into

2. Embraceable You (3:07) into

3. Fifty-Second Street Theme (Incomplete.) (0:20)

Notes: During item 1 CP quotes a western theme. Embraceable You has a very interesting piano introduction by Lewis, CP quotes at 1:40, This Time the Dreams on Me, item 3 is taken at a high pace by Parker, unfortunately it ends with a fade out.

Charlie Parker Session 52-11-14:

Date: 14 November 1952

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York

Musicians: Charlie Parker With Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Walter Bishop piano, Walter Yost bass, Roy Haynes drums, Candido (conga) Unknown oboe, Teddy Blume violin, Unknown string section, Bob Garrity (m.c.)

Recording: WNBC Radio Broadcast, 8:30 p.m. Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 1/4, Philology Philology CD W 5/18-2, for items 1 & 2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 15, for items 3 - 4; CD Birdbox Vol. 15 JUTB CD 3015, for items 3 - 4.

1. Just Friends (3:02) into

2. Strings Theme and announcement (0:17)

3. Easy to Love (2:28)

4. Repetition (4:50)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 52-11-15:

Date: Midnight 15 November 1952

Place: Carnegie Hall, New York

Musicians: Charlie Parker With Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Walter Bishop piano, Walter Yost bass, Roy Haynes drums, Candido (conga) Unknown oboe, Teddy Blume violin, Unknown string section, Bob Garrity (m.c.)

Recording: WNBC radio broadcast of midnight concert

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 15; CD Birdbox Vol. 15 JUTB CD 3015; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 1/4, CD Philology W5/18-2, for item 1; Zuzazz LP, items 4-5.

1. Just Friends (3:25)

2. Easy to Love (2:29)

announcement by CP (0:14)

3. Repetition into

Strings Theme (5:42)

4. Night In Tunisia (8:43)

5. Fifty-Second Street Theme (2:28)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 52-12-00:

Date: ?? December 1952

Place: Apollo Theater, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Billie Holiday vocal, Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Billie Holiday vocal

Recording: Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 8, CD Philology Philology CD W 80.2.

1. Mop Mop with announcements (0:34) into

2. Tenderly (2:16) announcements and applause at end (0:04)

Notes: The Bregman discography locates this item between 1 - 7 December 1952, but Vail has CP in Philadelphia on December 1st, when he sent a telegram Chan, and in Springfeild, MA with Milt Buckner’s trio, for which he was paid $300, making this unlikely. Philology issue dates this item as 10 December 1952, but there is a sequence of telegrams from Parker in Boston from 9 - 13 December to Chan, which rules that out also. Furthermore, while Billie Holiday appeared opposite CP in the earlier Carnagie Hall event, making it possible this is the time of the recording the announcer is not Bob Garrity.

Charlie Parker Session 52-12-14:

Date: Sunday afternoon, 14 December 1952.

Place: Hi Hat, Boston, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker: Charlie Parker alto sax, Joe Gordon trumpet, Dick Twardzick piano, Charlie Mingus bass, Roy Haynes drums, Symphony Sid Torin, m.c., Ken Malden, closing announcement.

Recording:

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Boston, 1952, Uptown CD, Uptown UPCD 27.42.

1. Introduction; piano warm-up, Symphony Sid introduces CP and (0:56)

2. Ornithology (4:10) + applause, announcement (0:07)

Introduction (0:05) to,

3. Cool Blues (5:21)

Introduction (0:11) to,

4. Groovin’ High (5:22) + applause (0:05)

Introduction (1:00) to,

5. Don’t Blame Me (8:52) + applause (0:05)

Introduction (0:04)

6. Scrapple From the Apple (5:54) applause (0:02)

Introduction (0:06) to,

7. Cheryl (5:20) straight into:

8. Theme; Jumpin With Symphony Sid, fades out with Ken Malden voices over music. (2:20)

Notes: In the introduction, Symphony Sid talks with Parker, when Parker states that this is the last night of a week stint in Boston, the Charlie Parker Diary states that Parker opened in the Hi Hat in Boston on December 8, 1952, and closed on December 14, 1952, giving this date added credibility. Symphony Sid introduces each member of the band individually before item 5, curiously the first 1:00 of the introduction does not register on the CD.

Charlie Parker Session 52-12-30 – 53-01-00:

Date: 30 December 1952 - January 1953

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Al Haig piano, Percy Heath bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird, The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve, Disc 9, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. The Song Is You (2:56)

2. Laird Baird (2:44)

3. Kim (2:58)

4. Kim (Master Take.) (2:58)

5. Cosmic Rays (Master Take.) (3:05)

6. Cosmic Rays (3:16)

Notes: Great music, CP wrote Laird Baird for his son Laird Parker, and Kim for his stepdaughter, Kim.

Charlie Parker Session 53-03-00:

Date: ?? ?? 1953.

Place: Tony Fruscella's Apartment, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Tony Fruscella trumpet, possibly Bill Triglia piano, Unknown bass, Unknown drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, ‘More Unissued’ Volume 2, Royal Jazz RJD 506.

1. You Stepped Out of a Dream (9:46)

2. Now’s the Time (9:11)

3. Emanon (11:09)

Notes: Peter Losin lists Charlie Parker alto sax, Tony Fruscella trumpet, Hank Jones piano, Teddy Kotick bass, and Max Roach drums, but provides no source for this listing. The Tony Fruscella sessionography lists Bill Triglia as possible pianist, as does the Royal Jazz CD issue, most likely derived from the pianist of the one other 1953 Fruscella session. I would guess that the former has derived the possible piano from the one other 1953 Tony Fruscella session, which would also fit with Teddy Kotick for bass, but not Max Roach for drums. So, it would seem that there is a fair amount of guess work going on here, no? Being able to clarify the musicians should offer some clues as to the possible dates of the session. If Peter Losin’s listing of Max Roach is correct, then this would suggest a date of between February and July 1953, though the first and last of these months were studio sessions put together by Norman Granz, not reflecting Parker's working group (insofar as he had a stable one at this time), which may narrow this down a little. Although Teddy Kotick appears on the same studio sessions. Peter Losin’s listing of Hank Jones is also intriguing, because otherwise the last recorded session of Jones with Parker is 1950, September (also a Verve session).

Indeed, there are many intriguing questions about this session, including the selection of tunes. Now's the Time was a Parker favourite but, like with all other tunes, at a certain stage he tended to stop playing them, replacing these with more recently recorded pieces. The last recording of this tune is from 17 October 1952, and then nothing other than this Fruscella session. For the other two there is no other recording of these by Parker, nor are they listed in the Fruscella discography other than for this one-off. Indeed, for Emanon, which is only the intro of the piece, not the remainder. You credit Emanon to Hank Jones, whereas this is a Dizzy Gillespie piece, which is how it is listed on Gillespie's records.

Charlie Parker Session 53-01-30:

Date: 30 January 1953

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Miles Davis Sextet: Miles Davis trumpet, Charlie Parker tenor sax, Sonny Rollins tenor sax, Walter Bishop, Jr. piano, Percy Heath bass, Philly Joe Jones (d)

Recording: Commercial for Prestige

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Miles Davis, The Complete Prestige Recordings, CD Prestige VICJ-40229 - 40232, Disc 2.

1. Compulsion (5:44)

2. The Serpent’s Tooth (Take I) (7:00)

3. The Serpent’s Tooth (Take II) (6:16)

4. ‘Round About Midnight (7:05)

Notes: Curiously, but not uniquely for sessions CP recorded as a side-man for Miles CP plays tenor saxophone, which may have been more interesting had the circumstances been different, but then again perhaps not given that what followed was much the norm for CP. The story is that this session was another that almost became a complete failure: a bottle of gin was sent for, for the band, and Parker drank all of it in one long swallow (one take?), then promptly fell asleep. Miles became incensed because of that, packed up his trumpet, and was ready to walk out, luckily he was placated and stayed. Parker woke again, and in the little of the time booked for the studio remaining they session took remarkably producing these recordings.

Charlie Parker Session 53-02-05:

Date: 05 February 1953

Place: Jazz Workshop Program, CBC-TV, Montreal, Canada

Musicians: Charlie Parker: Charlie Parker alto sax omit 2, Brew Moore tenor sax, Paul Bley piano, Dick Garcia guitar, Niel Michaud bass, Ted Paskert drums.

Recording: TV Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker Montreal, CD Uptown UPCD 27.36, times listed here from there; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 9, Philology CD W 120. 2, without the announcements; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 21, Philology CD W 851.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 15; CD Birdbox Vol. 15, JUTB CD 3015.

Announcement with CP speaking (0:31)

1. Cool Blues (1:46)

applause & announcements of Brew Moore (0:23)

2. Bernie’s Tune (2:42)

applause & announcements CP speaking (0:34)

3. Don’t Blame Me (2:55)

applause & announcements (0:26)

4. Wahoo (aka Perdido) (3:02)

announcement (0:23)

Notes: The Uptown issue is excellent, providing detailed background information about the recording, transcriptions of the solos and biographies of all the musicians. Unfortunately the film footage was destroyed by the TV station. In the introduction CP wrongly states that Cool Blues was recorded for Dial in 1948, when it actually was recorded February 19, 1947. The Philology Vol. 21 issue sleeve notes comment on the Uptown’s release, here the announcement times at 0:32; Cool Blues at 2:16, with announcements of Brew Moore and applause of 0:25 into Bernie’s Tune at 3:00, into announcement and CP (who again incorrectly states that the piece was recorded for Dial 1948, actually it was 04 November 1947) applause 0:35 into Don’t Blame Me 3:00, applause 0:05. Item 4 is announced as Perdido.

Charlie Parker Session 53-02-07.

Date: 07 February 1953.

Place: Chez Paree Night Club, Montreal, Canada

Musicians: Charlie Parker and Local Rhythm Section: Charlie Parker as except 3, Dick Garcia guitar, Valdo Williams p on 1 - 3, Steep Wade p on 4 - 6, Hal Gaylor b on 1 - 3, Bob Rudd b on 4 - 6 , Billy Graham d on 1 - 3, Bobby Maloy d on 4 - 6.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker Montreal, CD Uptown UPCD 27.36; Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 9, Philology CD W 120.2, for Items 1 and 5 only; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 15, for items 1 & 4 only; CD Birdbox Vol. 15 JUTB CD 3015, for items 1 & 5 only.

Announcements (0:50)

1. Ornithology (aka How High the Moon) (3:56) + applause (0:12)

2. Cool Blues (7:26) + applause (0:05)

3. I’ll Remember April (5:39)

4. Moose the Mooche (5:07)

applause and Charlie Parker announcement into (0:24)

5. Embraceable You (3:00) - 0:20

applause CP thanks audience and announces next tune (0:44)

6. Now’s the Time (7:06) + applause (0:14)

Notes: On this occasion Parker correctly attribute Now’s the Time to 1945, for Savoy. On the Philology release item 1 is misspelled as Ornitology, which is actually introduced as How High the Moon.

Charlie Parker Session 53-02-16:

Date: 16 February 1953

Place: Bandbox, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with the Harris - Jackson Herd: Charlie Parker alto sax, Charlie Mariano alto sax, Harry Johnson tenor sax, Bill Harris trb, Chubby Jackson bass, Sonny Truitt piano, Morey Feld drums, announcement by Leonard Feather during tune

Recording: Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues: Queen-disc 002 (LP, Italy).

1. Your Father’s Mustache (5:10)

Notes: There is some variability in the sound quality of this piece, with perhaps marginally better quality on the Charly issue.

Charlie Parker Session 53-02-22:

Date: 22 February 1953

Place: Club Kavakos, Washington, D.C.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with the Joe Theimer Orchestra: Charlie Parker, & Jim Riley alto sax, Angelo Tompros, & Ben Lary tenor sax, Jack Nimitz bar s, Ed Leddy, Marky Markowitz, Charlie Walp, Bob Carey, & Jon Eardley trumpet, Earl Swope, Rob Swope, & Don Spiker trombone, Jack Holiday piano, Merton Oliver bass, Joe Theimer drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes, Last Unissued, Vol. 22, Philology CD W 852.2; LP Electra Musician E1-60019.

1. Fine and Dandy (3:22)

2. These Foolish Things (3:17)

3. Light Green (3:31)

4. Thou Swell (3:48)

5. Willis (5:18)

6. Don’t Blame Me (3:05)

7. Medley;

Something to Remember You By;

Blue Room;

Back and Forth (3:12)

8. Round House (3:05)

Notes: For item 7 Bregman et al., list something to Remember you By, Blue Room, the listing for Back and Forth is from the Philology disc. According to Vail 1996 p. 122, the orchestra was The Joe Theimer Orchestra and CP played for a flat fee of $50.

Charlie Parker Session 52-00-00 or 53-00-00:

Date: Sometime in 1952 or 1953

Place: Somewhere in New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Jam Session: Charlie Parker alto sax, John Nielson trumpet, possibly Charlie Kennedy alto sax, Unknown piano, Unknown bass, Freddie Gruber drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 20, CD Philology W 850.2.

1. Groovin’ High (4:14)

2. The Great Lie (4:17)

3. Unnamed Blues (3:59)

4. How High the Moon (4:32)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 53-03-08 or 53-03-10:

Date: 08 or 10 March 1953

Place: Storyville Club, Copley Square Hotel, Boston, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Red Garland piano, Bernie Griggs bass, Roy Haynes drums, John McLellan (aka John T. Fitch) m.c..

Recording: Private recording, radio broadcast WHDH Boston, possibly by George Wein.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker at Storyville, Blue Note 0777 7 856108 2 6: Blue Note BT85108.

1. Moose the Mooche (5:05) + applause (0:06)

2. I’ll Walk Alone (4:51)

3. Ornithology (4:22)

applause (0:02) into

4. Out of Nowhere (Incomplete.) (4:34) + voice-over (3:40 - 4:22)

Notes: Item 4 ends with a fade out. Nice clean recording, if the drums are somewhat distant. Originally in Bregman et al, 1993, this was listed as March 10 with the statement that it was a Sunday afternoon 3 - 6pm, recording, however March 10 of that year was a Tuesday, March 08 is Sunday, thus the above date. However, the sleeve notes state that WHDH station did live broadcasts from the club on Tuesdays, and the announcer states that this is a night broadcast and Parker was playing through to Sunday with a Sunday matinee performance; is it simply that this was recorded on the first Sunday matinee and broadcast as live on the Tuesday? This is a highly interesting recording with Red Garland, in part because it is the only one.

Incidentally Bregman et al. incorrectly state that the club was located in the Hotel Buckminster.

Charlie Parker Session 53-03-23:

Date: 23 March 1953

Place: Bandbox, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with the Milt Buckner Trio: Charlie Parker alto sax, Milt Buckner organ, Bernie McKay guitar, Cornelius Thomas drums.

Recording: Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues: Queen-disc 002 (LP, Italy).

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 15; CD Birdbox Vol. 15, JUTB CD 3015; Klacto MG501.

Conversation between Leonard Feather and Bird

1. Groovin’ High (3:49)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 53-03-30:

Date: 30 March 1953

Place: Bandbox, Broadway, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Walter Bishop piano, Kenny O’Brien bass, Roy Haynes drums, Leonard Feather, Bob Garrity, m.c.’s.

Recording: Radio broadcast

Alternate Issues: Queen-disc 002 (LP, Italy), for items 3, 5, 7 & 9.

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 21, Philology CD W 851.2, Items 1-9; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 16; CD Birdbox Vol. 16, JUTB CD 3016.

1. Caravan (Incomplete.) (0:30) + voice-over (0:08 - 0:53) into

2. Cool Blues (0:48 - 1:08) (0:20) Leonard Feather voice-over (0:54 - 1:06) into

3. Star Eyes, (4:34) 5:40 into

4. My Little Suede Shoes (Incomplete.) + voice-over introduces band & next tune piano in background (0:43) into

5. Ornithology (4:57) (0:15 - 5:07) - 6:06

6. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) with voice-overs (0:59) into

Conversation between Feather and Bird announcing next tune alto sax, (0:33) into,

7. Dynamo A (aka Diggin’ Diz) (4:14) into

8. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (0:46) with voice-over

9. Embraceable You (3:01) Country Gardens (0:11) tag into

10. Fifty-Second Street Theme (III) (0:20) + voice-over

Notes: Item 1 ends with fade out, item 4 abruptly. In Star Eyes, CP’s solo seems lacking in focus and energy, sounds like he is run down, or... At the voice-over with item 8, Feather requests the next tune, CP states that he could not refuse him.

Charlie Parker Session 53-03-00:

Date: ?? March 1953.

Place: Howard Theater, Washington, D.C.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Unknown piano, Unknown bass, Unknown drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 18, CD Philology, W 848.2, times from there; LP VGM0009

1. Out of Nowhere (4:51) + applause (0:02)

2. Ornithology (4:34)

3. Anthropology (5:15)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 53-05-09:

Date: 09 May 1953

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, John Lewis piano, Curley Russell bass, Kenny Clark drums.

Recording: Radio broadcast

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 16; CD Bird Box Vol. 16, JUTB CD 3016; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16 Disc 4; XII. Charlie Parker, Bird: Rarities from Private collections. 1950 - 53, Rarities Suisa JZCD 312, items 2, and 3.

Announcement, Bob Garrity asks Bird about his plastic alto, into

1. Cool Blues (4:28)

Announcement, Garrity introduces Band into

2. Star Eyes, (5:19)

3. Moose the Mooche into

4. Lullaby of Birdland (6:00)

5. Broadway into

6. Lullaby of Birdland (3:34)

Notes: The performance of Star Eyes, almost entirely by Bird, is excellent.

The Charly CD DIG 16 Disc 4, all items are noted as being shorter, the announcement into item 2 is edited out, there is no reference to item 4 on the disc listing, nor is there reference to Lullaby of Birdland, as following, on Broadway.

Charlie Parker Session 53-05-15:

Date: 15 May 1953

Place: Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada

Musicians: The Quintet of the Year: Charlie Parker as Dizzy Gillespie trumpet, Bud Powell piano, Charles Mingus bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Privately taped by Charles Mingus.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: The Quintet- Jazz at Massey Hall. CD Debut VDJ-1567, times from there.

1. Perdido (7:53)

Bird announces Dizzy as “My worthy constituent...” into

2. Salt Peanuts (7:30)

3. Wee (6:45)

Dizzy announces

4. Hot House (9:18)

Dizzy announces the next title in French

5. A Night in Tunisia 7:33)

6. All the Things You Are into

7. Fifty-Second Street Theme (7:55)

Notes: There are in actual fact two versions of this concert; the one listed above was the initial release on Debut, where Mingus over-dubbed his bass line. The original version, with the bass as played at the concert is found on The Complete Debut Recordings.

Check Vail 1996, p. 124 on this more closely.

Charlie Parker Session 53-05-23:

Date: May 23, 1953

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Dizzy Gillespie All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Dizzy Gillespie vocal on 1, trumpet, & Miles Davis trumpet, Sahib, Shihab baritone sax, Wade Legge piano, Louis Hackney bass, Al Jones drums, Joe Carroll vocal on 2.

Recording: Broadcast

Alternate Issues:

1. The Bluest Blues (6:28)

2. On the Sunny Side of the Street (2:49)

Notes: This session was originally dated as taking place in June of this year on the above issues and by Bregman et al, 1993, but has now been shifted to here by Vail 1996, p.127.

Charlie Parker Session 53-05-22:

Date: 22 May 1953

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet; Charlie Parker alto sax, Bud Powell piano, Charles Mingus bass, Art Taylor drums.

Recording: Radio broadcast.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Cool Blues (?:??) (Unissued.)

2. All the Things You Are (?:??) (Unissued.)

3. Lullaby of Birdland (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: I cannot confirm that a tape of this session exists, but Chan Parker is supposed to possess a tape of this session.

(All not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 53-05-25

Date: 25 May 1953

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker and His Orchestra: Charlie Parker alto sax, Tony Aless piano, Charles Mingus bass, Max Roach drums, Junior Collins French horn, Hal McKusick clarinet, Tommy Mace oboe, Manny Thaler bassoon, Dave Lambert, Unknown male tenor singers, Jerry Parker baritone singer, Butch Birdsall bass singer, Annie Ross, Unknown female singers, Dave Lambert choral arrangement, Gil Evans instrumental arrangement, conductor.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird, The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve, Disc 9, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. In the Still of the Night (False Start.) (0:32)

2. In the Still of the Night (Incomplete.) (0:53)

3. In the Still of the Night (3:46)

4. In the Still of the Night (3:21)

5. In the Still of the Night (False Start.) (0:45)

6. In the Still of the Night (3:26)

7. In the Still of the Night (Master Take.) (3:22)

8. Old Folks (Incomplete.) (0:26)

9. Old Folks (False Start.) (0:09)

10. Old Folks (4:04)

11. Old Folks (Incomplete.) Bird noodles into

12. Old Folks (False Start.) (0:21)

13. Old Folks (3:28)

14. Old Folks (Incomplete.) (0:26)

15. Old Folks (3:39)

16. Old Folks (Master Take.) (3:24)

17. If I Love Again (2:31)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 53-05-30:

Date: 30 May 1953

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Bud Powell piano, Charlie Mingus bass, Art Taylor drums, Candido conga.

Recording: Radio broadcast,

Alternate Issues: Queen-disc 002 (LP, Italy), for items 1 and 2.

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 16; CD Stash ST CD-10, Bird Box Vol. 16, JUTB CD 3016; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16 Disc 4, again no reference to Lullaby of.. and shorter times noted; CD Stash ST CD-10.

Garrity talks to Bird,

1. Moose the Mooche (6:00)

Announcement CP voice, into

2. Cheryl into

3. Lullaby of Birdland (8:15)

Notes: This is a good performance by Charlie Parker and Bud Powell.

With the Charly CD DIG 16, issue, Disc 4 again there i.e., no reference to Lullaby of.. and shorter times are listed

Charlie Parker Session 53-05-00:

Date: ?? May 1953

Place: Unknown

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Bud Powell piano, Charles Mingus bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Radio Broadcast

Alternate Issues: Queen-disc 002 (LP, Italy).

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 16; CD Birdbox Vol. 16 JUTB CD 3016; Bandstand CD 32JDB-197.

1. Dance of the Infidels (5:30)

Notes: Schlouch, 1991, states that it is possible that this session is from 30 May, 1953, if so the drummer should then be Art Taylor.

Charlie Parker Session 53-06-13:

Date: 13 June 1953

Place: Boston, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker interviewed by John McLellan, aka John T. Fitch.

Recording: Radio broadcast, for Boston station WHDH.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Interview (?:??)

Notes: Transcription of part of this interview is found on the sleeve notes to Charlie Parker at Storyville, Blue Note 0777 7 856108 2 6: Blue Note BT85108.

Charlie Parker Session 53-06-20:

Date: 20? June 1953

Place: Boston, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker interviewed by John McLellan, aka John T. Fitch.

Recording:

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 18, CD Philology W 848.2.

1. Interview and records (17:24)

Notes: Some of the records that are played, which CP is asked to comment on, include Bartók, Music for Stringed Instruments, Lee Konitz,

Bregman et al., 1993, lists and dates these three interviews with John T. Fitch. Curiously, though, they state that a transcription of part of the first is found on the Blue Note Sleeve notes and the third, below, is found on the Philology CD; however the Philology sleeve notes states that it is in fact the second. Another curiosity is that the transcription on the Blue Note sleeve, is like a badly edited version of the interview found on the Philology disc.

Charlie Parker Session 53-06-00 or 54-01-18 to 54-01-24:

Date: ?? June 1953, or 18 tp 24 January 1954.

Place: Boston, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker interviewed by John McLellan, aka John T. Fitch.

Recording:

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Interview (?:??)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 53-06-07:

Date: 07 June 1953

Place: Hi-Hat, Boston, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Herb Pomeroy trumpet, Dean Earl piano, Bernie Griggs bass, Bill Graham drums, Symphony Sid Torin m.c.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird in Boston: Charlie Parker at the Hi-Hat, 1953 - 54, Fresh Sounds Vol. 2, FSCD-1007; Charlie Parker, The Bird You Never Heard, Stash ST-CD-582.

1. Cool Blues (Incomplete.) (6:46)

2. Out of Nowhere (5:39)

3. My Funny Valentine (6:29)

4. Ornithology (4:55)

Notes: The date for this recording is usually given as unknown, I speculate that the above date was possible, as CP began playing at this date, it is of course feasible that the material came from the same session as the 14 June, depending on how much was recorded and the process by which it was selected, if at all selected. It could not possibly have been from after 14 June and still be at the Hi-Hat, as Parker closed on that date and appeared in New York City, at Birdland, on June 18 and played in New York for the rest of that month, recordings from which confirm. However, the sound quality of these items is very different from the 14 June items, not constantly poorer but obviously from a disc cutter, or disc transcriptions done thus, more echoing, as though from an audience recording rather than from the mikes for broadcast (another possibility, of course, is that these were recorded off the radio, the conversation is then not from the audience), which would contradict that it was from that date and source. Also, item 1 ends with a fade out. During the piano solo in item 1 it is possible to hear audience conversation

If this date is correct, this would be the first recording of CP playing My Funny Valentine, a tune which later Miles Davis frequently played, although here it has a Latin feel to the drumming.

These four items also appear on the Stash issue, listed above, but there on my copy of it there are no claims to the actual dates or locations of these items made on the liner notes.

Charlie Parker Session 53-06-14:

Date: 14 June 1953

Place: Hi-Hat, Boston, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet, Charlie Parker alto sax, Herb Pomeroy trumpet, Dean Earl piano, Bernie Griggs bass, Bill Graham drums, Symphony Sid Torin m.c.

Recording: Radio broadcast, WCOP, Boston.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird in Boston: Charlie Parker at the Hi-Hat, 1953 - 54, Fresh Sounds Vol. 1, FSCD-1006; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 17; CD Birdbox Vol. 17 JUTB CD 3017; Stash CD-21.

1. Unidentified tune (0:03) sax, bass, piano & drum background to chat Sid and CP (0:34) into;

2. Cool Blues (5:34)

Sid announces (0:08)

3. Scrapple From the Apple (6:57)

Symphony Sid and CP rather uncertainly introduce the band (0:54)

4. Laura (6:25) + Country Garden tag + applause (0:10) into

Announcement by Sid and CP (0:52) into

5. Cheryl (5:38) + applause SS announces this and the next track against background noodling (0:06) into;

6. Ornithology (6:23) straight into,

7. Fifty-Second Street Theme (1:28) with voice-over (0:06 - 0:44)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 53-00-00:

Date: ? ??, 1953

Place: Detroit, MI.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with Sonny Stitt: Charlie Parker, alto sax, Sonny Stitt alto sax, Hank Mobley tenor sax, George Duvivier bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Television broadcast for the Soupy Soup T.V. show, Detroit Michigan..

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Unknown titles (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: Very little is apparently known of this, and whether there are recordings in existence; information for the session Bregman et al., 1993. Of course, given the stylistic similarities in the approach of Parker and Stitt.

(All not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 53-00-00

Date: Summer 1953

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Max Roach Sextet: Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt alto sax, Hank Mobley tenor sax, unknown piano, George Duvivier bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source:

1. Star Eyes (?:??) (Unissued.)

2. On the Sunny Side of the Street (?:??) (Unissued.)

3. Ornithology (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: This is also reputed to exist in the Chan Parker’s collection.

(All not in my collection.)

Charlie Parker Session 53-07-26:

Date: First set, 26 July 1953

Place: Open Door, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Benny Harris trumpet, Bud Powell, & Al Haig piano, Charles Mingus bass, Art Taylor drums.

Recording: Private recording, probably recorded by Chan Richardson Parker

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 24, Philology CD W 854.

1. Out of Nowhere (3:10)

2. Star Eyes, (3:40)

3. Cool Blues (4:42)

4. East of the Sun (3:20)

5. The Song Is You (6:02)

6. Fifty-Second Street Theme (I) (2:40)

Notes: These sessions are excellent, we should thank Chan Parker for recording them and allowing their release, if she did the any of these things.

Charlie Parker Session 53-07-26:

Date: Second set, 26 July 1953.

Place: Open Door, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Benny Harris trumpet, Bud Powell, & Al Haig piano, Charles Mingus bass, Art Taylor drums.

Recording: Private recording, probably recorded by Chan Richardson Parker

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 24, Philology CD W 854 for items 1 - 4.

1. Ornithology (3:14)

2. Scrapple From the Apple (I) (3:25)

3. My Old Flame (4:12)

4. My Little Suede Shoes (2:05)

5. Fifty-Second Street Theme (II) (?:??) (Unissued.)

Notes: Item 3 was listed in the Bregman et al., 1993, discography, while it is almost certain that this was played at the end of the set, it is not certain that a recording of it exists, and if it does what condition it is in.

Charlie Parker Session 53-07-26:

Date: Third set, 26 July 1953

Place: Open Door, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Benny Harris trumpet, Bud Powell, & Al Haig piano, Charles Mingus bass, Art Taylor drums.

Recording: Private recording, probably recorded by Chan Richardson Parker

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 25, Philology CD W 855.2.

1. I Remember You (2:57)

2. All the Things You Are (4:11)

3. Just You, Just Me (2:12)

4. I’ll Remember April (I) (4:14)

5. Hot House (3:14)

6. Fifty-Second Street Theme (III) (2:58)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 53-07-26:

Date: Fourth set, 26 July 1953

Place: Open Door, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Benny Harris trumpet, Bud Powell, & Al Haig piano, Charles Mingus bass, Art Taylor drums.

Recording: Private recording, probably recorded by Chan Richardson Parker

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 25, Philology CD W 855.2.

1. I Cover the Waterfront (?:??) Country Gardens tag (2:20)

2. This Time the Dream’s on Me (4:09)

3. I’ll Remember April (II) into

4. Scrapple from the Apple (?:??) (Unissued.)

5. Fifty-Second Street Theme (IV) (?:??) into

6. Bird Announcement over Theme (3:11)

Notes: As before, item 4 is listed in the Bregman et al., 1993, discography, nevertheless its existence is uncertain.

The tape is edited to some themes and Bird solos only. There are no Bud Powell solos, although Bird can be heard announcing him.

The Charlie Parker Discography lists a second take of Ornithology and a fourth take of Fifty-Second Street Theme. I believe these do not exist.

East of the Sun, The Song Is You and Suede Shoes suffer from some recording noise, probably from the source. My Old Flame is excellent. Bird plays the first chorus close to the melody, sounding very much like the Dial recording, and then improvises the second. The out chorus contains interesting double-time passages. I Remember You presages the studio recording made three days later. Is this the only known Just You, Just Me?

Charlie Parker Session 53-07-30:

Date: 30 July 1953

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Al Haig piano, Percy Heath bass, Max Roach drums.

Recording: Commercial for Mercury

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird, The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve, Disc 10, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. Chi-Chi (3:09)

2. Chi-Chi (False Start.) (0:27)

3. Chi-Chi (2:42)

4. Chi-Chi (2:37)

5. Chi-Chi (False Start.) (0:17)

6. Chi-Chi (Master Take.) (3:02)

7. I Remember You (3:03)

8. Now’ s the Time (3:01)

9. Confirmation (False Start.) (0:14)

10. Confirmation (False Start.) (0:09)

11. Confirmation (Master Take.) (2:58)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 53-09-22:

Date: 22 September 1953

Place: Storyville Club, Copley Square Hotel, Boston, Mass.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Herb Pomeroy trumpet, Sir Charles Thompson piano, Jimmy Woode bass, Kenny Clarke drums, John McLellan (aka John T. Fitch) m.c..

Recording: Radio broadcast recording, possibly by George Wein,.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker at Storyville, Blue Note 0777 7 856108 2 6; Blue Note BT85108.

Announcement by John McLellan over first 0:26 of:

1. Now’s the Time (4:10) + applause (0:04)

2. Don’t Blame Me (4:50) + Country Garden tag (0:07)

3. Dancing on the Ceiling (Incomplete.) (2:27)

4. Cool Blues (4:44) + applause (0:04)

5. Groovin’ High (Incomplete.) (5:03) voice-over announcement of group, place, future acts (4:06 - 4:44)

Notes: This was the second evening of a one week engagement at the Storyville, of which we have this good, clean, recording. Item 3 begins with a fade in into the piano solos and sounds therefore like it is incomplete, missing the first chorus and CP solo. Item 5 ends very abruptly also suggesting that it is at least marginally incomplete. With item 4 there is some variance in the volume of CP’s playing, like he was moving to and away from the microphone. The voice-over between 4:06 - 4:44) of item 5 announces the of group, future acts and the location of the club.

Incidentally Bregman et al. incorrectly state that the club was located in the Hotel Buckminster, rather curiously as the announcement at the end clearly gives the above location.

Charlie Parker Session 53-11-05:

Date: 05 November 1953

Place: University of Oregon, OR.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with the Chet Baker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Jimmy Rowles piano, Carson Smith bass, Shelly Manne drums.

Recording: Private recording

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 17; CD Bird Box Vol. 17, JUTB CD 3017; Stash ST CD-582; Stash ST CD-10.

1. Ornithology (2:47)

2. Barbados (3:48)

3. Cool Blues (5:33)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 54-01-18:

Date: 18 January 1954

Place: Hi-Hat, Boston, Mass

Musicians: Charlie Parker and the All-Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Herbie Williams trumpet, Roland Griffith piano, Jimmy Woode bass, Marquis Foster drums, Symphony Sid Torin m.c..

Recording: Radio broadcast on WBMS.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Boston, 1952; Uptown CD, Uptown UPCD 27.42.

Introduction by Symphony Sid with CP (0:20)

1. Ornithology (6:46)

Announcement by Symphony Sid and CP (0:17)

2. Out of Nowhere (9:36)

Announcement by Symphony Sid (0:34)

3. Cool Blues (5:01)

Announcement by Sid and Bird (0:45)

4. Scrapple from the Apple (Incomplete.) (4:41) fades out with voice-over.

Notes: For the announcements preceding items 1, 2, 3, & 4, the times do not register on the display, but stay stubbornly at 0:00 throughout, sometimes beginning to register near the end of the announcement or when the music begins. Parker announces item 2 as ‘It Came to Me From Out of Nowhere,’ the piece also registers at 7:36 on the CD player with this issue. Between items 3 and 4 Sid announces the band. Item 3 solos; Parker 1:50; trumpet for 1:03; and piano for 1:48, over the last of which Sid states the setting, the radio station, and that Parker piece also registers at 7:36 on the CD player with this issue. Between items 3 and 4 Sid announces the band. Item 4 solos; Parker 1:50; trumpet for 1:03; and piano for 1:48, over the last of which Sid states the setting, the radio station, and that Parker would continue playing until 1:00 am, that night, all week long and on Sunday afternoon, finishing Sunday night and Sunday morning.

For this session Vail, 1996, foolishly follows Bregman et al., 1993, by listing 1. Ornithology; 2. Out of Nowhere; 3. My Funny Valentine; 4. Cool Blues, in the same order as the Stash issue, and giving the players as Charlie Parker alto sax, Herb Pomeroy trumpet, Unknown piano, Charles Mingus bass, Unknown drums. Where did this personnel listing originate, some Stash issue?

Charlie Parker Session 54-01-18 to 54-01-24:

Date: 18 – 24 January 1954

Place: Hi-Hat, Boston, Mass

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Jay Migliori tenor sax, Rollins Griffith piano, Jimmy Woode bass, Marquis Foster drums, Symphony Sid Torin m.c..

Recording: Radio broadcast, WCOP Boston.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird in Boston: Charlie Parker at the Hi-Hat, 1953 - 54, Fresh Sounds Vol. 1, FSCD-1006.

Announcement by Symphony Sid, CP interrupts by playing Ornithology (0:13) into

1. Ornithology (7:43)

Symphony Sid asks for and CP introduces (0:29)

2. My Little Suede Shoes (7:03) + applause (0:06)

CP announces with his characteristic sincerely hope that you’ll enjoy (0:29)

3. Now’s the Time (6:53) + applause and SS announces N t T (0:04)

4. Groovin’ High (5:59) + applause (0:04)

Notes: Charlie Parker was booked to play at the Hi-Hat in Boston from January 18 to 24, from Thursday January 28 he was with the Festival of Modern American Jazz in Wichita Falls in Texas, until February 28, when the tour finished at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles; the tour did not appear in Boston. Before January 18, CP appeared the Blue Note, January 4 - 10, according to Vail, (1996, pp. 144 - 151). This would place this date sometime between January 18 and 24. Interestingly, the applause at the end of item sounds like it is ‘piped’ applause tagged onto the end of the piece rather than a natural audience applause. Groovin’ High also has a background noise of the swathe from the disc cutter, audible in the opening statement of the theme.

Recent information suggests that this exists and will soon be issued as a sort:

Charlie Parker Session 54-01-18 to 54-01-24:

Date: 18 – 24 January 1954

Place: Boston, Mass

Musicians: Interview by Paul Desmond and John McLellan with Charlie Parker

Recording: Radio broadcast, on HDH.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 8, CD Philology W.80.2.

1. Interview (13:32)

Notes: This is an extremely interesting interview, where CP proclaims the need for any musician to practice incessantly to learn and improve their skills, and also talks about possible future directions for his music, which include the prospect to study further. Normally

Charlie Parker Session 54-01-18 to 54-01-24:

Date: 18 – 24 January 1954

Place: Hi-Hat, Boston, Mass

Musicians: Charlie Parker All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Jay Migliori tenor sax, Rollins Griffith piano, Jimmy Woode bass, Marquis Foster drums, Symphony Sid Torin m.c..

Recording: Radio broadcast, station WCOP

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird in Boston: Charlie Parker at the Hi-Hat, 1953 - 54, Fresh Sounds Vol. 2, FSCD-1007.

1. Cool Blues (6:09)

Symphony Sid announcement (0:10) into

2. My Little Suede Shoes (5:50)

Interview by Symphony Sid of Bird (Incomplete.) (0:58)

3. Ornithology (7:33)

Symphony Sid introduces the band and interviews CP further (1:23)

4. Out of Nowhere (7:)

5. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid () with SS closing voice-over 1:

Notes: It would seem that this was recorded later in this week’s engagement, sometime around the 23rd rather than the 18th as Symphony Sid announces between 1 & 2;

“Aghh for the good sound ladies and gentlemen here at the Hi-Hat it is Charlie Parker and the All Stars, we hope you are enjoying eghh just a little taste of what is happening, and has been happening here at the Hi-Hat all week.”

The interview between items 2 & 3 fades in, as Symphony Sid is obviously continuing from some preceding statement or statements concerning CP’s Paris trip. He makes reference to CP’s interview with Paul Desmond and John McLellan, which he heard the evening before on HDH (is this a Boston radio station?), placing that interview prior to this concert.

Fresh Sounds lists Gregg Solano as the drummer, while Symphony Sid announces Marquis Foster as the drummer on the Fresh Sounds disc.

Charlie Parker Session 54-01-23

Date: 23 January 1954

Place: Hi-Hat, Boston, Mass

Musicians: Charlie Parker All Stars: Charlie Parker alto sax, Jay Migliori tenor sax, Rollins Griffith piano, Jimmy Woode bass, Gregg Solano drums, Symphony Sid Torin m.c..

Recording: Radio broadcast, station WCOP

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird in Boston: Charlie Parker at the Hi-Hat, 1953 - 54, Fresh Sounds Vol. 2, FSCD-1007.

1. Now’s the Time (9:14)

Announcement by Symphony Sid and CP (0:48)

2. Out of Nowhere (5:48)

3. My Little Suede Shoes (5:01)

4. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid (1:08) with SS voice-over

Notes: Fresh Sounds lists Gregg Solano as the drummer, as do Bregman et al., 1993, and Vail 1996, while Symphony Sid announces Marquis Foster as the drummer on the Fresh Sounds disc.

Charlie Parker Session 54-02-25:

Date: 25 February 1954

Place: Festival of Modern Jazz Tour, at Civic Auditorium, Portland, Oregon

Musicians: Stan Kenton Big Band with Charlie Parker: Charlie Parker, Charlie Mariano, & Dave Schildkraut alto sax, Mike Cicchetti, & Bill Perkins tenor sax, Tony Ferina bar s, Sam Notto, Vic Minichelli, Buddy Childers, Don Smith, & Stu Williamson trumpet, Milt Gold, Joe Ciavardone, Bob Fitzpatrick & Frank Rosolino tb, George Roberts bass trb, Stan Kenton piano, Bob Lesher guitar, Don Bagley bass, Stan Levey drums.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 8, CD Philology W.80.2; Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 18; CD Birdbox Vol. 18, JUTB CD 3018.

Announcement by Stan Kenton into

1. Night and Day (2:55)

2. My Funny Valentine (3:11)

3. Cherokee (2:52)

Notes: Philology inaccurately date this session the 28 February.

Burton reported that he spoke to Gene Norman, who confirms he has some additional Kenton material, which he does not seem uninterested in issuing.

Charlie Parker Session 54-03-31:

Date: 31 March 1954

Place: New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Walter Bishop, Jr. piano, Jerome Darr guitar, Teddy Kotick bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Commercial for Verve Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird, The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve, Disc 10, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. I Get a Kick Out of You (4:55)

2. I Get a Kick Out of You (False Start.) (0:32)

3. I Get a Kick Out of You (False Start.) (0:16)

4. I Get a Kick Out of You (Incomplete.) (1:05)

5. I Get a Kick Out of You (False Start.) (0:17)

6. I Get a Kick Out of You (Incomplete.) (1:08)

7. I Get a Kick Out of You (Master Take.) (3:34)

8. Just One of Those Things (2:46)

9. My Heart Belongs to Daddy (False Start.) (0:36)

10. My Heart Belongs to Daddy (Master Take.) (3:18)

11. I’ve Got You Under My Skin (3:38)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 54-08-27:

Date: 27 August 1954

Place: Birdland, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker with Strings: Charlie Parker alto sax, Teddy Blume violin, Walter Bishop piano, Teddy Kottick & Tommy Potter bass, Roy Haynes drums, unknown oboe, unknown string section.

Recording: Radio broadcast, station WABC.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 18; CD Birdbox Vol. 18, JUTB CD 3018; Charlie Parker: Bird at Birdland, Charly CD DIG 16 Disc 4.

1. Theme into

2. What Is This Thing Called Love? (2:09)

3. Repetition (2:36)

4. Easy To Love (2:08)

5. East of the Sun into

6. Theme (3:32)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 54-09-25:

Date: 25 September 1954

Place: Carnegie Hall

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quartet: Charlie Parker alto sax, John Lewis piano, Percy Heath bass, Kenny Clarke drums.

Recording: Concert Recorded for Roulette Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker: Perfect Complete Collection, Soundhills JP CD SSCD-8017-34. Vol. 18; CD Bird Box Vol. 18, JUTB CD 3018; Cool and Blue C & B-CD105.

1. The Song Is You (4:20)

2. My Funny Valentine (2:00)

3. Cool Blues (2:45)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 54-10-12:

Date: 10 December 1954

Place: Fine Sounds Studio, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker Quintet: Charlie Parker alto sax, Walter Bishop, Jr. piano, Jerome Darr guitar, Teddy Kotick bass, Roy Haynes drums.

Recording: Commercial for Verve Records

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker, Bird, The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve, Disc 10, CD Verve 837 141-2.

1. Love For Sale (False Start.) (0:17)

2. Love For Sale (5:47)

3. Love For Sale (Incomplete.) (1:03)

4. Love For Sale (5:32)

5. Love For Sale (Master Take.) (5:35)

6. I Love Paris (5:07)

7. I Love Paris (Master Take.) (5:07)

Notes:

Charlie Parker Session 54-00-00 or 55-00-00:

Date: Late 1954 or possibly early 1955

Place: Dick Meldonian’s Apartment, New York City, NY.

Musicians: Charlie Parker playing scales and talking.

Recording: Private recording.

Alternate Issues:

Primary Source: Charlie Parker. Bird’s Eyes Last Unissued, Vol. 16, Philology CD W 846.2.

1. Bird Playing Scales and Talking About Music (9:17)

Notes:

FIN